How does transport infrastructure development impact rural livelihoods in the Global South? A systematic review of the English language academic literature

An ongoing boom of large-scale infrastructure development in the Global South is transforming rural livelihoods with implications for rural people and landscapes. This systematic review uses the Sustainable Livelihood Framework (SLF) as a conceptual framework to analyse the impacts of infrastructure development on rural livelihoods. The analysis covers articles published between 2018 and mid-2025. The review categorises and analyses the effects of infrastructure development on the five main livelihood capital types from the SLF. Findings suggest that infrastructure development positively impacts human, physical and financial capital assets by transforming agricultural production and access to natural resources. Additionally, the review finds less research focused specifically on the relationship between infrastructure development and social capital. This review recommends that infrastructure development explicitly integrate considerations of natural capital to safeguard future livelihoods and emphasises the need for further research on how infrastructure intersects with social capital and sustainable rural transformation. The findings of this research may be useful for policy formation and implementation related to infrastructure projects and the livelihood implications in the Global South. • Infrastructure development negatively affects access to natural resources essential for livelihoods. • Infrastructure development improves access to financial and physical assets, facilitating economic activities. • Further research should deepen the understanding of how infrastructure development affects social capital in rural areas. • Discussion revolves around the challenges in maintaining infrastructure.