Bibliometric analysis of income inequality in ASEAN countries

Income inequality affects economic and social development within a nation. This study examines income inequality trends, patterns, and determinants in ASEAN countries. A PRISMA systematic review was conducted on articles from Web of Science and Scopus publications. A total of 555 papers out of 1,500 publications were selected for bibliometric analysis. The analysis covers four time periods: 1979-2000, 2001-2010, 2011-2020, 2021-2024. Income Distribution Theory was found to be the dominant theoretical lens, while Journal of Asian Economics and Singapore Economic Review are leading journals. The income inequality focus shifted away from the Philippines and Malaysia (1979-2000) to Vietnam and Malaysia (2001- 2010). In 2011-2020, Indonesia, economic growth, poverty and policy interventions were of interest, while in 2021-2024, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia continue to be the focus countries. The Philippines, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and Brunei are relatively under-researched ASEAN nations. Recent research increasingly combines economic growth, finance, and sustainability. Progressive wage policies, such as Malaysia's Progressive Wage Policy and Singapore's SkillsFuture are designed to reduce wage disparities. More robust research is needed to address labor market inefficiencies, wealth concentration, and structural barriers to inclusive economic policy in education and entrepreneurship.