Human Capital Reviews

What Are Human Capital Reviews?

Human Capital Reviews (HCRs) are World Bank's analytical products that help countries invest more effectively in people. They offer a comprehensive view of the state of human capital in a country, assess opportunities and challenges in areas key to human capital development, and identify priorities for action. HCRs stand out for their multisectoral, lifecycle approach—showing how investments across health, education, social protection and labor markets combine to build, protect, and use human capital at every stage of life, from early childhood through retirement.

Human Capital Reviews Around The World

Since the launch of the Human Capital Project (HCP) in 2018, the World Bank has worked with more than 50 countries worldwide on HCRs and related human capital diagnostics. Most HCRs focus on one country, sometimes as part of a larger diagnostic package. A few reports cover multiple countries.

To explore the existing HCRs and related human capital diagnostics, hover over the clickable map below. You can use the zoom function or the search box to locate countries that may be too small to appear highlighted on the map. The most up-to-date overview of completed and upcoming HCRs and related diagnostics is presented in the accompanying table.

TABLE OF COUNTRIES

Armenia

HCR: Completed

[Report | Other Materials]

Azerbaijan

HCR: Completed

[Report | Other Materials]

Belarus

HCR: Completed

* Not published

Botswana

HCR: Completed

[Report | Other Materials]

Brazil

HCR: Completed

[Report | Other Materials]

Cabo Verde

HCR: Completed

* Not published

Chad

HCR: Completed

[Report | Other Materials]

Colombia

HCR: Completed

* Not published

Costa Rica

HCR: Completed

[Report | Other Materials]

Croatia

HCR: Completed

[Report | Other Materials]

Djibouti

HCR: Completed

[Report]| Other Materials]

Dominican Republic

HCR: Completed

[Report| Other Materials]

Egypt

HCR: Upcoming

El Salvador

HCR: Completed

* Not published

Eswatini

HCR: Completed

[Report| Other Materials]

Georgia

HCR: Completed

[Report| Other Materials]

Guatemala

HCR: Completed

[Report| Other Materials]

Guinea-Bissau

HCR: Completed

[Report| Other Materials]

Honduras

HCR: Completed

* Not published

Iraq

HCR: Completed

[Report| Other Materials]

Jordan

HCR: Completed

* Not published

Kazakhstan

HCR: Completed

[Report| Other Materials]

Kenya

HCR: Upcoming

Laos PDR

HCR: Completed

* Not published

Lesotho

HCR: Completed

[Report| Other Materials]

Liberia

HCR: Completed

[Report| Other Materials]

Malawi

HCR: Completed

[Other Materials]

Maldives

HCR: Completed

[Report| Other Materials]

Mauritania

HCR: Completed

[Report| Other Materials]

Moldova

HCR: Completed

[Report | Other Materials]

Nepal

HCR: Completed

[Report| Other Materials]

Nicaragua

HCR: Completed

* Not published

Pakistan

HCR: Completed

[Report | Other Materials]

Panama

HCR: Completed

[Report| Other Materials]

Paraguay

HCR: Completed

* Not published

Philippines

HCR: Completed

[Report| Other Materials]

Saudi Arabia

HCR: Upcoming

Serbia

HCR: Completed

[Report| Other Materials]

Sierra Leone

HCR: Completed

[Report| Other Materials]

Somalia

HCR: Completed

* Not published

South Africa 

HCR: Completed

[Report| Other Materials]

South Sudan

HCR: Completed

* Not published

Sri Lanka

HCR: Completed

[Report| Other Materials]

The Gambia

HCR: Completed

[Report| Other Materials]

Timor-Leste

HCR: Completed

[Report| Other Materials]

Tunisia

HCR: Completed

* Not published

Türkiye

HCR: Completed

[Report| Other Materials]

Uganda

HCR: Completed

* Not published

Ukraine

HCR: Completed

[Report | Other Materials]

Zimbabwe

HCR: Completed

* Not published

Supporting Documents

  • Guidance Note
    The Human Capital Review Guidance Note 
    June, 2025

    The Human Capital Review Guidance Note offers step-by-step guidance for countries to tailor Human Capital Reviews (HCRs) to their specific context and priorities. The note shows how to link investments in people, such as in health and education, to stronger development outcomes. It outlines five key sections to structure a country’s human capital story: 1) understanding the landscape; 2) challenges and opportunities; 3) public finance and enabling environment; 4) priority interventions; and 5) policy recommendations. The note suggests a comprehensive, multisectoral view for HCRs, engaging all levels of government to build, use, and protect human capital throughout people’s lives. Recent HCRs from Central America, Mauritania, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Timor-Leste demonstrate how countries have applied this approach. Finally, the note shares best practices and resources to strengthen policy dialogue and advocacy for investing in people. 

  • Synthesis Report 2025
    Synthesis Report on Human Capital Reviews (HCRs)
    FY 2018-2025

    The Synthesis Report on Human Capital Reviews (HCRs) shows how these reports have become a key World Bank tool for helping countries identify specific challenges and design solutions to invest in people. Looking at a selection of HCRs completed between 2018 and 2025, the report highlights the benefits for countries and the tangible results achieved so far, from new investments to policy reforms. It also explores how HCRs connect country-level challenges with global developments, addressing themes such as climate change, food and nutrition crisis, the rise of digital technologies, and fiscal limitations in low- and middle-income countries. The report concludes with lessons learned and proposals to strengthen future HCRs and related diagnostics. 

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