Global Trends in Gender Inequality in Higher Education: A Bibliometric Analysis (1993–2024)

Background/purpose. Gender inequality in higher education remains a persistent issue that hinders the equitable access and participation of both women and men in the academic field. This study aims to analyze global research trends in gender inequality in higher education from 1993 to 2024, focusing on how these trends are reflected in publications indexed on the Scopus database.

Materials/methods. A bibliometric analysis was conducted, encompassing 380 documents published in Scopus. The review identified the main trends in scientific production on gender inequality in higher education and its evolution over the past decade.

Results. The findings revealed an exponential increase in scientific production on the topic, particularly since 2017. The United States and the United Kingdom were identified as the most productive countries, with a high concentration of publications in specialized journals. Furthermore, the social sciences field represented the most significant scientific output.

Conclusion. The study concludes that, despite the increase in research on gender inequality in higher education, significant challenges remain in promoting gender equality. This highlights the need for more effective educational policies and a more inclusive approach to future research to advance toward achieving equity in the academic realm.

Keywords: gender inequality, higher education, scientific production, bibliometrics, Scopus

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