The article is devoted to formation of human capital. According to the author`s opinion, today education is one of key factors in human’s capital formation and development. The relevance and role of education in development of effective human potential is confirmed by the fact that this component is considered to be one of the most profitable types of investment a state. Researching this problem, the author notes that countries such as Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, New Zealand, Switzerland, UK, the Netherlands, the USA is leading in the development of knowledge economy. The experience of developing countries, such as Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, where the rate on investment in education in the competitive human capital`s development is the most effective strategy for economic development of any state also confirms it. Today Russia ranks 55th place in the world of level of human capital`s development. This situation is mainly due to weak health and education systems and the fact that human potential misused in most.