Human Capital Investments: A Route to Sustainable Development

Human Capital Investments: A Route to Sustainable Development
By-khyati sharma


Thematic Vector: Human Capital as the Cornerstone of Economic Advancement


Preamble

Economic progress and the well-being of society are based on human capital, which can be characterized as the whole skills, knowledge, and aptitude of an individual. It is more urgent than ever to invest in human capital because we are already living in a time of rapid technological development, globalization, and new emerging labor markets. Thus, the New Platform for Global Growth emphasizes how crucial it is to promote human capital development in order to achieve sustainable and fair economic growth. The future labor markets, closing the digital divide, empowering the next generation, and revolutionizing education, well-being, and healthy living are just a few of the strategies and initiatives that will be covered in this paper on investing in human capital.


Revealing the core of the hypothesis


1. The Future of Work:

The Benefits of AI and Training the job market is not an exception to the rapid changes occurring in the world. Advanced robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI) are some of the new technologies being introduced by the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This implies that while new jobs will be created, other jobs will leave. The Figures According to the World Economic Forum, technology may displace 85 million jobs by 2025. There will be 97 million new occupations created that blend machine intelligence and human skills. Preparing for the Shift Governments and corporations need to fund retraining and up skilling initiatives in order to get ready for this change. This entails imparting new, in-demand abilities to people.

BRICS countries initiative
India: introduced The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 By understanding the rapid growth in technologies and acknowledge that in the future many jobs
can be taken by technology and the need of skilled workers will be required that’s how nep has implemented.
(The global education development agenda reflected in the Goal 4 (SDG4) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by India in 2015 - seeks to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” by 2030)

China: The Ministry of Education (MOE) introduced their application the smart Education to provide students with authentic sources and study material for better learning.

Tactics

By providing informative courses to educate them
About these topics and make them aware About the latest opportunities and technologies to create better workforce for the Future


2..Reducing the Digital Divide:

Ensuring Fair Access to Technology Imagine being cut off from the outside world and unable to use the internet or digital tools. This is the case for about 2.9 billion people, or about 37% of the world's population. The Problem The digital divide is a significant barrier to the growth of human capital. That is what separates those who are able to use digital technology from those who are unable.

BRICS countries initiative

India: BharatNet: Bridging the Digital Divide provides high speed Internet to people who live in rural Areas. This initiative take By government to Reduce the digital divide in the Country.

Russia: “FREEDOM ON THE NET 2023” is a reports that mentions that during the Russian vs Ukraine war due to government restrictions the digital divide increased rapidly that government Take initiatives to it to stop.

Tactics

The Solution To narrow this gap, governments must provide funding for internet infrastructure and literacy programs. This means making sure that everyone has access to the internet and teaching them how to use digital tools.


3.Youth unemployment:

Globally, youth unemployment is a big issue the International Labour Organization (ILO) report says that the unemployment late in 2024 is 5% that is lowest in all time To overcome this issue, governments must create targeted policies that encourage young people to work and start businesses.

BRICS contries initiative

India: india is going to host “BRICS Youth Entrepreneurship Meet” in March 2025 from March 3-7. All BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa will Be there for
Future entrepreneurship collaborations

Egypt: "Decent Life" project provides job placement services and vocational training to young people in rural areas.

South Africa: Youth Employment Service (YES) project, which collaborates with private sector enterprises, has provided young people with over 500,000 new job opportunities.

Tactics

Establishing apprenticeship programs and vocational training centers is one technique that has shown to be successful. These programs provide young people with valuable skills and hands-on experience, boosting their employment prospects



4. Education Transformation:

How New Technologies Are Affecting Education The introduction of new technologies into educational systems is radically changing how knowledge is delivered and consumed. Virtual classrooms, online learning platforms, and Al-driven individualized learning technologies are making education more effective and accessible.

BRICS countries initiative

India: Union Budget 2025-26

“Education is not only the foundation upon which our civilization has been built, but it is also the architect of humanity's future.”

~Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi

In Union Budget 2025-26 government Take Many Initiatives To progress education. Some of the examples are:
-Centre of Excellence in AI for Education
-More iit(Indian Institutes of Technology)
-Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme


Russia: E-Learning policy in Russian take initiatives for secondary and higher school education by adding Subjects like computer technology, IT etc.

China: "Smart Education" initiative leverages big data and Al to provide children with personalized learning experiences that improve academic achievement and reduce disparities (Ministry of Education of China, 2021).

Tactics

New AI Platforms to make education easier for students to acsess.

5. Happiness Index:

Strategies to Enhance Population Welfare A popular statistic for evaluating the growth of human capital is the Happiness Index, which measures the degree of contentment and well-being of a population. Countries like Bhutan and New Zealand, which emphasize the importance of social cohesion, mental health, and the environment, have incorporated the Happiness Index into their national development plans.

BRICS countries initiative

India: India's ranking is 126th out of 143 countries in World Happiness Report 2024. We need to consider These reports and Work for people's happiness In the Country.

Brazil: "Bolsa Família" program has successfully reduced poverty and improved well-being by providing low-income families with conditional cash transfers (World Bank, 2020)

Egypt: In an attempt to improve public health, Egypt's 2018 "100 Million Healthy Lives" program provides free screening and treatment for chronic conditions like diabetes and hepatitis C.


Tactics

Conduct metal awareness campaigns to aware public about mental health and provide support to people who are suffering From these things and make awareness about happiness in life.



6. The Economic Impact of Promoting Healthy Lifestyles:

Prospects and Consequences Promoting healthy behaviors is not only a public health issue but also a corporate requirement. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease account for 71% of deaths globally and significantly impact healthcare systems financially (WHO, 2021). introduced in 2014, has successfully reduced the use of sugary drinks and improved public health outcomes (Colchero et al., 2017). Egypt's "Healthy Cities" plan aims to create urban environments that promote physical activity and healthy living by constructing parks, walking paths, and recreational facilities (Ministry of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, 2021).


Emphasis on economic and social effects
To achieve long-term economic growth and enhance community well-being, investments in
human capital are essential. The strategies and initiatives covered in this essay offer
governments and the private sector a road map for maximizing the potential of human
capital in the twenty-first century, ranging from youth employment programs and digital
literacy campaigns to reskilling initiatives and health promotion policies. As the global
economy grows, the importance of human capital will only rise.

General conclusions, expected results

By prioritizing investments in technology, healthcare, and education, nations may ensure that
their citizens are equipped to thrive in the face of new opportunities and challenges.
Through the New Platform for Global Growth, there is a unique opportunity to align these
efforts with the broader goals of sustainable development


Bibliography
● National Education Policy
● Smart Education of China launches‘Online Teaching Research'
● World Economic Forum
● BHARATNET PROJECT
● FEREEDOΜ ΟΝ ΤΗE NET2023
● World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2025
● India to Host BRICS Youth Entrepreneurship Meet in March 2025
● Decent Life” initiative draws new features for the Egyptian countryside: Minister of Planning
● International Labour Organization
● Union Budget 2025-26
● Russian Federation - E-Learning policy
● Smart Education of China ∙ Lifelong Education Platform Officially Launched
● World Happiness Report 2024
● World Bank to support new phase of Brazil’s Bolsa Familia program
● Ministry of Health and Population
● Nearly 3 billion people are offline: Here's a step towards bridging the digital divide