Sustainable development goals: a bibliometric analysis of literature reviews

The research in sustainable development goals (SDG) increases year by year since its approval in 2015. Typically, after a phase of exponential growth, the number of publications increases at lower rates, suggesting a consolidation process in which literature reviews become a relevant and high-evidence type of document. In this context, the aim of this study was to perform an unprecedented bibliometric analysis of literature reviews on SDG to assess the evolution and consolidation of the scientific research. Article reviews on SDG from 2015 to 2022 were retrieved from Web of Science core collection and a descriptive bibliometric analysis was performed by growth rate, research area, source, citation, and region. Mapping and cluster analysis using keyword co-occurrence, co-authorship, and bibliographic coupling were also applied. The result revealed that SDG is a fast-growing field, with a trend in the diversification of research areas. Most of the review documents were categorized in general aspects of sustainability. Technology (SDG 9) and economic growth (SDG 8) were spotted as hidden key research areas. This result is contrary to previous bibliometric studies on SDG, demonstrating the rapid evolution and change in the field. In addition, literature reviews on reduced inequalities (SDG 10), gender equality (SDG 5); oceans, seas, and marine environments (SDG 14); and peace, justice, and strong institutions (SDG 16) were revealed as research gaps. Thus, the results demonstrated that the research on SDG cannot yet be considered a consolidated area of research, as it leaves many SDG unexplored. Future research has been proposed accordingly.