Exploring Human Capital Investment in West Sumatra Indonesia

The important part of human capital investment is to involve economic growth, especially concern today after the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study is to explore the factors influencing human capital investment among people in West Sumatra on several levels of social status. This study adopted a case study approach to investigate human capital investment among people in west Sumatra on several levels of social status. The first two participants were from cultural and academic backgrounds, while the third was a farmer from the general public. The data were collected for seven months through observations, interviews, and documents until saturated. This study found that there are three major indicators formed related to human capital investment, namely human capital obtained from the similarity of statements from the four research informants stating cultural factors in Minangkabau that encourage a person to invest in human capital, especially in the field of education. The second indicator found is the relationship between the concept of out-migration (merantau) and family education. The last indicator is that the socio-economic status of Minang families will be indirectly raised due to investment in education for their children. The novelty element of this research is that it highlights how the matrilineal social and cultural system adopted by the Minangkabau ethnic group in Indonesia views the importance of investing in human resources for their children's future. This research elaborates its discussion from the economic, socio-cultural, and educational perspectives.