The article presents an analysis of the socio-cultural factors impact on the human capital development in Russian regions. The authors put forward and tested two hypotheses about the positive and negative socio-cultural factors impact on human capital. The econometric results of the study showed that socio-cultural factors have a multi-vector and multidirectional influence on the qualitative characteristics formation and the human capital accumulation in Russian regions. In regions where the relationship between formal and informal institutions has been normalized socio-cultural factors play the catalysts role in the human capital reproduction, but there have been the least number of such. Whereas in most Russian regions, socio-cultural factors act as barriers to the human capital reproduction, which may indicate the presence of a human development trap, and be a lack reflection of the harmonious relations between formal and informal institutions. Along with the identified trends, another significant result was obtained: the domestic tourism’s positive impact on human capital. Domestic tourism contributed to the Russians’ socio-cultural matrix strengthening, which made it possible to enrich the human capital level in view of the cultural traditions exchange between various numerous peoples of Russia. There was no such effect from external tourism, which may be due to limited access to it. The results of the study indicate the need to rethink the socio-cultural factors’ role in the human capital reproduction and development. Of particular importance is the need to develop a theoretical and methodological basis for analysis, not so much to determine the contribution to the human capital development, but rather in the ability to influence and adjust the population behavioral strategies, thereby improving the qualitative human capital components. The study has theoretical and practical significance, can be useful for decision makers in demographic, socio-cultural policies, in order to correct the population behavioral strategies and the ability to influence them to improve the qualitative human capital characteristics.