Resumen
This paper provides an analysis of data originating from OECD and ILO in order to evaluate how productivity, compensation and human capital engagement were affected during the last financial crisis in Romania and Bulgaria. It argues that human capital is severely more impacted in emerging economies in times of crisis, either them being financial or sanitary. The paper argues that both at a governmental and corporate level, human capital should be the focus point and main driving factor for overcoming any future crisis.