Human Potential reproduction in the Context of new Challenges

Abstract

Subject. The article considers the evolution of human development theory under the auspices of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the factors influencing human potential reproduction.Purposes. To compare the concepts of “human potential” and “human capital”, existing tools for their assessment. Analysis of the specifc features of Russia’s human potential development and possibilities of its increase.Methodology. In the article are used methods of quantitative analysis and cross-country comparisons, a systematic approach in the study of components of human potential.Results. The author compared the content of the terms “human potential” and “human capital”, which have many common meaningful elements, therefore they can be used in practice as synonyms. The analysis of human development dynamics in Russia highlighted the weaknesses and strengths of this process using the UNDP Human Development Index, Human Capital Index from the World Bank, and Global Human Capital Index from the World Economic Forum (WEF). Russia’s lagging behind developed countries in some human development components requires an active demographic policy, modernization of health care and education, pensions and social assistance, development of cultural, formation of an effcient labor market and an innovation ecosystem.Prospects. To improve the effciency of measures aimed at the active reproduction of human potential it is necessary to continue improving the tools for estimating its components, which should be better aligned with the modern requirements of a rapidly changing technological structure of the economy.