A 16-Year Panel Dataset on Human Capital Capitalization and Productivity (2010–2025).

Dataset Description This dataset provides a comprehensive 16-year longitudinal panel (2010–2025) focused on the relationship between tertiary education investment, human capital capitalization, and labor productivity. The study covers four strategically selected emerging economies: Uzbekistan, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, and Vietnam, representing different institutional models of human capital development. Key features of the dataset include: HCI+ Integration: It is one of the first datasets to utilize the April 2026 World Bank Human Capital Index Plus (HCI+) expanded benchmarks, which move beyond traditional 0–1 indexing to a 0–325 scale of labor earnings potential. Multi-Pillar Analysis: Data is disaggregated into the specific pillars of the HCI+, including the On-the-Job Learning (OTJL) component, which serves as a proxy for the effectiveness of Dual Education systems. Harmonized Variables: The panel includes government expenditure on tertiary education (X1), gross school enrollment (X2), and Labor Productivity (Y) in constant 2021 PPP dollars. Accounting Framework: The data is structured to facilitate an Economic Audit of national human capital assets, identifying the "Quantity-Quality Gap" where rapid enrollment surges do not immediately translate into productivity gains. Methodology: The data were retrieved from the World Bank and IMF archival records, harmonized in Stata 18/BE, and treated for missing values using linear interpolation to ensure a balanced panel. All financial metrics have been adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP) to ensure cross-country comparability.