human capital

American  

noun

1. the collective skills, knowledge, or other intangible assets of individuals that can be used to create economic value for the individuals, their employers, or their community.

   Education is an investment in human capital that pays off in terms of higher productivity.

---

human capital British  

noun

1. economics the abilities and skills of any individual, esp those acquired through investment in education and training, that enhance potential income earning

---

Etymology

Origin of human capital

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

human capital

In an interview with the Journal, Nadella argued that tech giants should work to “earn the social permission” of the public and that companies should place value on human capital, not just in-house AI capability.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 24, 2026

“I think we’re missing the more important question: What is our ability to provide support? Do we have the human capital in place? I don’t have the answer.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026

That token-price increase has tested some companies’ threshold for what they’re willing to pay for AI versus human capital.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 4, 2026

"We have some of the best human capital anywhere in the world. We just need to sharpen it with more training," Ruto added.

From BBC ● Apr. 24, 2026

The reason is that upward mobility requires what sociologists describe as the twin pillars of success: human capital and social capital.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times