Mapping Financial Inclusion and Sustainable Banking Research: A Bibliometric Review

This paper provides a comprehensive review of global research on financial inclusion and sustainable banking, highlighting their growing importance in promoting sustainable development, financial resilience, and inclusive economic growth. To achieve this objective, the study analyses a dataset of publications retrieved from the Scopus database covering the period from 2000 to 2025 using bibliometric, content, and network analysis approaches. The analysis was conducted using VOSviewer, Biblioshiny, and Microsoft Excel to examine publication trends, influential authors, journals, institutions, countries, collaboration networks, and thematic structures within the field. The findings reveal that financial inclusion and sustainable banking have emerged as prominent research areas, particularly in response to global sustainability initiatives, digital financial transformation, and the increasing emphasis on responsible banking practices. The study identifies the major thematic clusters underpinning the literature, including financial inclusion and economic development, sustainable finance and green banking, Islamic banking and social finance, ESG and banking sustainability, and financial stability and inclusive growth. Furthermore, the review highlights emerging research trends and underexplored areas that warrant further investigation. By integrating bibliometric, content, and network analyses, this study offers a comprehensive understanding of the intellectual structure of financial inclusion and sustainable banking research while providing valuable directions for future academic inquiry and policy development.

Financial Inclusion; Sustainable Banking; Sustainable Finance; Green Banking; Financial Institutions; Bibliometric Analysis; Sustainable Development; Inclusive Growth

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