Introduction

The concept of Human Resources (HR) is one of the core pillars of global business and organizational management. Interestingly, while the function itself is universal, the terminology used to describe Human Resources varies significantly across countries and languages.

In some regions, the emphasis is placed on “resources”, in others on “capital,” “potential,” or “management.” These linguistic differences reflect cultural, economic, and managerial perspectives on people within organizations.

As HR Option – Human Resources Development and Training Center, we have compiled how the term Human Resources is expressed and interpreted in 25 different countries, including both its literal meaning and practical usage.

The Term “Human Resources” in Different Countries

1. 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan

İnsan Resursları
İnsan Qaynaqları
👉 Both forms are used; “İnsan Resursları” is considered more formal.

2. 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Human Resources
👉 Direct meaning: Human Resources.

3. 🇺🇸 United States

Human Resources (HR)
👉 The abbreviation HR is widely used in daily and professional language.

4. 🇩🇪 Germany

Personalwesen – Personnel management
Humanressourcen – Human resources
👉 The concept of personnel is more dominant.

5. 🇫🇷 France

Ressources humaines
👉 Literal translation: Human resources.

6. 🇪🇸 Spain

Recursos Humanos
👉 Focus remains on the “resources” concept.

7. 🇮🇹 Italy

Risorse Umane
👉 Latin-based terminology preserved.

8. 🇹🇷 Türkiye

İnsan Kaynakları
👉 Very close to the Azerbaijani term “İnsan Qaynaqları.”

9. 🇷🇺 Russia

Управление персоналом
👉 Literal meaning: Personnel management.

10. 🇯🇵 Japan

人事 (Jinji)
👉 Used to mean personnel affairs / human matters.

11. 🇨🇳 China

人力资源 (Renli Ziyuan)
👉 Literal translation: Human power resources.

12. 🇰🇷 South Korea

인적 자원 (Injeok Jawon)
👉 Human potential / human resources.

13. 🇳🇱 Netherlands

Human Resources
Personeelszaken – Personnel affairs

14. 🇸🇪 Sweden

Personalavdelning
👉 Refers to the personnel department.

15. 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia

الموارد البشرية (Al-Mawārid Al-Bashariyya)
👉 Human resources.

16. 🇵🇹 Portugal

Recursos Humanos
👉 Same logic as Spanish: Human resources.

17. 🇵🇱 Poland

Zasoby Ludzkie
👉 Literal meaning: Human reserves / resources.

18. 🇨🇿 Czech Republic

Lidské zdroje
👉 Zdroje means source/resource.

19. 🇭🇺 Hungary

Emberi erőforrások
👉 Literal translation: Human power resources.

20. 🇬🇷 Greece

Ανθρώπινο Δυναμικό (Anthrópino Dynámiko)
👉 Human potential / workforce capacity.

21. 🇮🇷 Iran

منابع انسانی (Manabe Ensani)
👉 Human resources.

22. 🇮🇱 Israel

משאבי אנוש (Mishabei Enosh)
👉 Human resources.

23. 🇮🇳 India

Human Resources
मानव संसाधन (Manav Sansadhan)
👉 English and local language are used in parallel.

24. 🇧🇷 Brazil

Recursos Humanos (RH)
👉 The abbreviation RH is very common.

25. 🇲🇽 Mexico

Recursos Humanos
👉 Standard term across Latin America.

Analytical Summary

Although all countries focus on people as the core of organizations, terminology differences can be grouped into three main perspectives:

• Europe & Latin America → Resource / source-oriented

• Asia & Middle East → Human power, potential, capability

• Eastern Europe → Personnel management, workforce control

These differences are especially important in:

• International HR documentation

• Multinational corporate structures

• Training programs and HR localization

• Global HR policy development

Understanding terminology ensures clear communication and cultural alignment in global HR practices.

About HR Option

HR Option, Human Resources Development and Training Center
We specialize in strategic HR development, training, and professional education aligned with international standards.

Sources:International Labour Organization, SHRM, CIPD, ISO (ISO 30414 Human Capital Reporting), OECD, European Commission, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Cambridge Dictionary, Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, World Bank, Harvard Business Review, Investopedia, UNDP, Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare of Japan, Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of China