Mapping the Impact of Skill Development on Sustainable Livelihoods of Tribal Youth: A Bibliometric Approach

Abstract

In order to increase employability, productivity, and economic resilience and support sustainable livelihoods particularly for tribal youth’s skill development is essential. By analysing academic literatures from Scopus databases, this study does a bibliometric analysis from 1999 to 2025 to identify scholarly studies that map the effect of skill development on sustainable livelihoods. This study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis of research on sustainable livelihood through skill development, using VOS viewer to map scholarly contributions, co-authorship networks, citation patterns, and thematic clusters. The goal is to identify research gaps and provide insights into the evolving discourse on this topic. The findings of the study reveal that skill development is a fundamental driver of sustainable livelihoods, but its success depends on a multi-faceted approach that considers economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Strategic interventions that align with local needs, technological advancements, and inclusive development models have the potential to create lasting positive impacts on livelihoods worldwide. Policymakers, educators, and academics who want to improve the efficacy of skill development programs for sustainable livelihoods would find this bibliometric study to be quite insightful. As this study is based on bibliometric analysis it considers the literatures developed across the globe during the study period in general, but it focuses on the Indian subcontinent in particular.