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

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

I didn’t see human capital playing a powerful role in the kind of innovation and market development, but there is still plenty of time for me to be wrong in that judgment.

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