THE SCALE OF THE PANDEMIC EFFECTS ON HUMAN CAPITAL
The COVID-19 pandemic has jeopardized decades of advances in human capital development, most negatively affecting the poorest countries. The acceleration of economic growth in each country will depend on the unlocking of the child's potential and the quality of investment in human capital (knowledge, skills and human health accumulated throughout life). The World Bank Group's 2020 Human Capital Index provides data on health and education for 174 countries, representing 98% of the world's population. The data cover the period up to 2020 and serve as the main indicator of the health and education of children before the onset of the pandemic. The analysis showed stable progress in the formation of human capital in all countries, the highest rates were observed in low-income countries. Before the impact of the pandemic, a person born in the poorest countries could maximize their potential at 56% of the potential level of human capital, provided that they receive a complete education and good health.