Global research trends on educational investment: A bibliometric analysis

The theme of educational investment has gained increasing attention from scholars, leading to a substantial rise in related publications. At the macro level, almost every country in the world is experiencing an increase in expenditure on education investment while at the micro level, families are placing greater emphasis on education, with household spending on education rising annually as well. As education plays a crucial role in shaping human capital and driving socioeconomic development, investments in this field have become a prominent focus in academic discourse. Over the past two decades, research on educational investment has expanded rapidly, making it challenging to fully grasp the scope of the developments. Numerous studies have explored various aspects of the topic, such as the impact of parental involvement, policy interventions, and market dynamics on education outcomes. The objective of this study is to compile and analyze research on educational investment from 2004 to 2024. To achieve this, a bibliometric analysis was employed, providing a comprehensive overview of the subject. The results reveal a significant growth in the number of academic articles and citations over the last 20 years. Furthermore, the study identifies the most prolific authors and academic journals contributing to the discourse on educational investment. The keyword co-occurrence analysis highlights five major thematic clusters: education, human capital, parental involvement, policy, and market. The frequent occurrence of certain terms suggests strong interconnections among key concepts. This study offers valuable insights for future scholars and policymakers, laying the groundwork for addressing emerging challenges and shaping future directions in the field of educational investment. By mapping thematic trends and identifying influential contributors, this research serves as a guide for deeper academic exploration and more informed policy decision-making.