Human capital diversity and its impact on the labor market and entrepreneurship in Lithuanian counties in 2006-2024

ENThis study aims to assess regional variation in human capital and identify its relationship with the labor market and entrepreneurship in Lithuanian counties from 2006 to 2024. The analysis focuses on determining the direction of change over time and assessing the correlations between human capital components and the employment rate, unemployment rate, and entrepreneurship level. The study utilizes descriptive statistics (min, max, mean, coefficient of variation, asymmetry), time-series linear regression analysis, and sigma-convergence analysis based on the coefficient of variation. The correlations between human capital indicators (KL1–KL8) and labor market and entrepreneurship measures (RP1–RP3) were assessed using Pearson correlation coefficients. The analysis utilized regional data from the Official Lithuanian Statistics Portal for the period 2006–2024. The results indicate increasing regional variation in higher education and convergence in digital literacy. Strong positive correlations were found between qualitative components of human capital (continuing education, higher education, digital competencies) and employment and entrepreneurship levels. The study highlights the importance of human capital for regional development and underscores the need to reduce educational disparities and strengthen digital competencies in regional policy. Keywords: human capital, labor market, regional analysis, Pearson correlation, entrepreneurship.