A B S T R A C T

The purpose of the research is to study the role of human capital in sustainable social development.

The methodology of the research - to test the hypotheses, the following econometric techniques are implemented: descriptive statistics and correlation analysis.

1.Stationarity tests: Augmented Dickey–Fuller (ADF) to ensure data integration at I(0) or I(1) levels.

2.Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression for baseline model.

3.Diagnostic tests: Variance Inflation Factor (VIF) for multicollinearity; Durbin–Watson (DW) for autocorrelation.

4.Robustness check: Alternative model using lagged variables to capture dynamic effects.

The practical importance of the research - the material and data can be used in lectures and seminars in higher education institutions, stakeholders can get benefit from the research.

The results of the research - Azerbaijan’s progress toward SDGs can be accelerated through targeted reforms in education quality, healthcare access, and labor-market inclusivity. Future research should employ panel or spatial models using regional data to capture heterogeneity within the country and explore the interaction between human capital and institutional quality.

The originality and scientific novelty of the research - the sustainable social development (SSD) represents an integrated approach to achieving economic progress, human well-being, and institutional resilience in the long term. In an era marked by global inequality and resource constraints, the role of human capital as a driver of inclusive and sustainable development has become central to both theory and policy.

Keywords: human capital, sustainable social development, solow model, HDI, education, health, employment.

http://doi.org/10.59610/bbu1.2026.1.11.