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

“All the unions have a staffing shortage. All the unions have an overabundance of work, because we don’t have human capital where we need them. And all of us feel that the district’s priorities when it comes to investing in human capital have fallen short.”

From Los Angeles Times

The scheme, which consumes nearly a tenth of the annual budget, aims to feed millions of Indonesian schoolchildren and pregnant women in a bid to reduce stunting and boost the nation's human capital, but has been criticised for logistical inefficiencies and food safety concerns.

From Barron's

Musk has also hired two big names from the competing AI startup Cursor and announced that he would be revisiting all prior applications for jobs at xAI with the help of a partner at the venture capital firm Human Capital.

From The Wall Street Journal

People borrow and build human capital when young, save and invest in middle age, and retire on accumulated assets.

From The Wall Street Journal

“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