Poverty, Family Economy, and Women: An Analysis of Research Trends

Bihar's socio-economic framework faces enduring challenges, including poverty, gender inequality, and the undervaluation of women's contributions to the family economy. Despite global efforts aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), systemic barriers persist, limiting women's integration into formal economic systems. This study examines these challenges through a bibliometric analysis of research trends, highlighting key patterns and critical gaps in understanding the role of women in Bihar's economic landscape. Using data from Dimensions.ai encompassing 1,547 articles (2007–2025), the study employed VOSviewer 1.6.20 to visualize co-authorship and citation networks. The analysis reveals a sharp increase in publications post-2018, reflecting the heightened academic focus on SDG-related themes. Health sciences dominate the research landscape, yet significant gaps remain in interdisciplinary studies and underexplored SDGs, such as Partnerships for the Goals. Prominent contributors, including Geoffrey T. Fong and Aga Khan University, underscore the global and regional collaboration driving this research. The findings highlight the necessity of bridging academic research with actionable policy through strategies like digital literacy, financial inclusion, and targeted educational programs. Addressing systemic barriers and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations are critical for empowering women, integrating them into economic frameworks, and driving sustainable development in Bihar. This study provides valuable insights for academic and policy stakeholders aiming to promote inclusive growth and gender equity in the region.