Energy poverty: a comprehensive data-driven account of global research trends, themes, knowledge gaps, and future directions

Energy poverty (EP) has emerged as a critical global issue, deeply interwoven with social inequality, housing conditions, energy justice, and climate vulnerability. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of energy poverty research from 1992 to February 2025, utilizing data from Scopus and Web of Science, the two most reputable scholarly databases. A total of 3,402 refined publications were analyzed using advanced bibliometric tools (RStudio) to uncover publication trends, thematic evolution, influential authors, institutional collaborations, and geographical distribution. The results reveal a significant increase in research output after 2010, with the United Kingdom, China, and the United States emerging as the most prolific contributors. Dominant themes, including “fuel poverty,” “energy justice,” and “energy efficiency,” were identified alongside emerging areas such as “renewable energy,” “energy transition,” and “energy poverty.” Despite growing attention, notable regional disparities persist, particularly within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and low-income countries, indicating underrepresentation. Thematic mapping suggests that energy poverty research is transitioning from traditional metrics toward interdisciplinary and equity-based approaches. This paper not only bridges gaps in existing bibliometric reviews by integrating dual databases and broader keywords but also provides critical insights for future research directions, such as the effect of the growing global crisis on EP. The findings offer a robust foundation for academics, policymakers, and development practitioners to formulate inclusive, evidence-based strategies aimed at alleviating energy poverty in an era of climate urgency and socio-economic transformation.