Exploring the Skills–Informality Gap:Evidence from Bibliometric Analysis
Abstract
Abstract This paper reports the findings of a bibliometric study examining how scholarly literature has approached the relationship between the informal economy and competencies – two themes that, while individually well-researched, have rarely been studied together in a systematic way. Working with 1,586 unique publications retrieved from Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus, we analysed publication trends, collaboration networks, and thematic structures spanning the period from 1975 to early 2025. The data reveal that research output in this area grew slowly for decades before accelerating sharply after 2001, with a particularly pronounced increase following 2020, a shift we attribute, at least partly, to the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the expansion of digital tools, and the growing emphasis on sustainability in international policy. European and Asian institutions account for the largest share of publications, though African and South Asian contributors are becoming increasingly visible. Thematic mapping identifies core research clusters centred on labour markets, education and training, gender issues, governance, and digital transitions. Despite the increasing visibility of skills-related topics, the explicit connection between competencies and informal economic activities remains underexplored. This gap matters, as without more integrated analytical frameworks, it is difficult to understand how skills shape participation in informal work or facilitate transitions to formal employment, particularly in economies undergoing rapid and uneven socioeconomic change.