Human capital is the sum of the economically usable skills, knowledge, competencies and also the behaviour and health status of the working population of an economy. The term expresses the fact that it is first and foremost education that really enables an individual to become economically productive, just as, in the same way, cultivation is necessary for the soil to be productive. In the literature, the terms human capital and human resources are sometimes used interchangeably.
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2. July 2026 | Migration and Integration
When bureaucracy becomes a barrier: What migrants think about Germany’s administrative processes
Applying for a residence permit, having foreign qualifications recognised, or acquiring German citizenship: people who have moved to Germany often face lengthy bureaucratic processes. Current survey ...read more
26. June 2026 | Groups of Persons
Employment growth in Germany from 2017 to 2024: What drives employment in an ageing society?
Between 2017 and 2024, employment growth in Germany was mainly driven by a rising population and increasing employment rates. Gains were concentrated among migrants, women and older workers, while ...read more
4. May 2026 | Digital and ecological transformation
The gender AI gap: “AI is becoming a key resource – but men and women are not using it in the same way”
The rapid spread of AI in the workplace is creating a new divide: the gender AI gap. A recent study by the IAB conducted in collaboration with Initiative D21 shows that women use AI considerably less ...read more