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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of human capital

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

They purchased SaaS as a substitute for internal capability, accumulated organizational debt — and now lack the human capital to navigate a transition that is fundamentally about people and process.

From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026

DOERR: Because I believe at its heart, the venture-capital business is a human-capital business, and there are businesses to varying degrees that depend on human capital.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 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

“India is the only country on Earth that really provides a real alternative—in terms of the depth of its human capital and the scale of its market—to China.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 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