A bibliometric study: Determinants of female labor supply

Female labor force participation constitutes a key structural phenomenon in the transformation of contemporary labor markets. However, the literature on its determinants has developed in a fragmented manner, both thematically and methodologically. This study aims to identify and characterize the evolution of the determinants of female labor supply through an analysis of scientific research. A bibliometric analysis of 473 documents indexed in Scopus over the period 1990–2026 is conducted, using co-occurrence techniques, thematic evolution, and cluster analysis based on relevance and development domains. The results reveal the coexistence of three main aspects: (i) an economic perspective, focused on wages, education, and macroeconomic variables; (ii) a socio-demographic perspective, associated with household structure, fertility, and the life cycle; and (iii) an institutional perspective, incorporating gender norms and labor market conditions. Furthermore, a turning point is identified from 2020 onwards, where motor themes shift toward variables such as family structure, gender identity, household income, migration, and the work environment. In parallel, traditional determinants such as unemployment lose relative centrality, while new research lines and niches emerge, particularly in areas related to childcare, the informal sector, and governance. The analysis shows that these determinants operate as interconnected systems, integrating economic, socio-demographic, and institutional dimensions. Methodologically, traditional econometric techniques persist, with an incipient adoption of analyses based on artificial intelligence. This study provides a structured overview of the field and offers guidance for future research agendas and public policy.