Human capital as a component of the innovation ecosystem

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the human capital in the context of innovative ecosystems, determine the structure and state of investment in human capital in Ukraine and provide recommendations on ways to activate investment for the development of an innovative ecosystem. To solve research issues were used articles, statistical information, and databases to which were applied comparison methods, analytical and tabular methods to visualize the analysis of data.The results of the study show that there is a direct relationship between the level of economic development of the country and the number of innovative products created, which is confirmed by the analysis of indicators of global indices. Despite the strengths that have an impact on domestic innovation development, Ukraine is not an innovation leader and its indicators have been deteriorating in recent years, which indicates the lack of use of available innovation potential and the unstable economic and political situation in the country.A comparative analysis of the Human Capital Index showed that the values for Ukraine remained unchanged for a decade. This is influenced by problems of investing in education and healthcare, without which the functioning of the innovation ecosystem is impossible. Currently, the country is experiencing a constant decline in the population, which is associated with high mortality, low birth rates and short life expectancy. The study found that while education costs rose before the full-scale invasion, the number of educational institutions steadily declined due to the closure of schools with a few students. A similar trend continues in the healthcare sector, where, with a relatively stable number of visitors, hospital facilities are being reduced.As a final point, a conclusion involving that the main component of the innovation ecosystem is human capital, which is involved in the creation and production of innovative goods and services and can generate income. The main task for the country today is to attract additional investment in human capital, which will help reduce the burden on the state and help in creating and developing innovative industries that will increase the country’s competitiveness in the world.
 JEL classіfіcatіon: E22, I25, J24, O15, O31