50 years of rural labor productivity: A systematic review of economic literature (data and graphs)

This study presents a systematic review of the economic literature on rural labor productivity over the past fifty years, utilizing bibliometric and network analysis to identify prevailing themes and research patterns. Drawing from 207 scientific articles indexed in the Scopus database, our analysis reveals five primary research themes: [1] Economic structure, policy, and labor dynamics; [2] Social, cultural, and human capital factors; [3] Land use and agricultural practices; [4] Infrastructure, urbanization, and economic growth; and [5] Environmental sustainability and technological support. The findings underscore the field’s relevance in addressing ongoing rural-urban disparities, gender and social equity issues, and sustainable development challenges.