Mannauði

Mannauði is the Icelandic term for human resources or manpower. It refers to the people who make up the workforce of an organization or economy, and to the collective skills, knowledge, health, and motivation they bring to work. The term derives from Old Norse roots, combining words for 'man' and 'wealth' or 'resources', thus literally meaning the wealth of people.

In modern usage, mannauði is a central concept in labor economics, human resource management, and demographic planning. It covers both the size of the labor force and the quality of its members, including education, training, experience, health, and productivity. In business contexts, phrases such as the company's mannauður refer to its employees and the capacity they provide.

Policy discussions regard mannauði as a form of national capital. Investments in education, vocational training, health care, and equitable participation affect potential output and growth. Demographic changes, such as aging populations and migration, influence the available mannauði and the need for policies to sustain it.

Measurement relies on labor market indicators such as employment and unemployment rates, labor-force participation, and educational attainment, as well as indicators of skills, match efficiency, and productivity. Data on these indicators inform budgeting, immigration policy, and workforce development programs.

See also: human capital, labor market, workforce planning, education and training, Icelandic economy.