Human Capital and the Economy

Undergraduate / Graduate

This course introduces the concept of human capital, its accumulation process, its role in family decisions, and its impact on the economy. Several models are presented and discussed, covering a wide range of topics, including parental altruism, education, bequests, health, fertility, support in old age, income inequality, intergenerational transmission of wealth, specialization, division of labor, and economic growth. The theory is complemented with historical evidence from different countries and periods.