Journal of Development Studies

Aims & Scope

The Journal of Development Studies was the first and is one of the best known international journals in the area of development studies.

Since its foundation in 1964, it has published many seminal articles on development and opened up new areas of debate.

Priority is given to papers which are: • relevant to important current research in development policy, theory and analysis • make a novel and significant contribution to the field • provide critical tests, based on empirical work, of alternative theories, perspectives or schools of thought We invite articles that are interdisciplinary or focused on particular disciplines (e.g. economics, politics, geography, sociology or anthropology), with an expectation that all work is accessible to readers across the social sciences.

The editors also welcome surveys of the literature in important fields of development policy.

All research articles in this journal undergo rigorous peer review, based on initial editor screening and anonymous peer review.

Given the high level of submissions, a majority of submissions are rejected quickly with reasons.

View Aims & Scope

---

Metrics & Ranking

Impact Factor

Year	Value
2025	1.8
2024	1.80

Journal Rank

Year	Value
2024	5172

Journal Citation Indicator

Year	Value
2024	1020

SJR (SCImago Journal Rank)

Year	Value
2024	0.960

Quartile

Year	Value
2024	Q1

h-index

Year	Value
2024	112

---

---

Abstracting & Indexing

Journal is indexed in leading academic databases, ensuring global visibility and accessibility of our peer-reviewed research.

• Scopus
• Google Scholar
• Web of Science

---

Subjects & Keywords

Journal’s research areas, covering key disciplines and specialized sub-topics in Social Sciences, designed to support cutting-edge academic discovery.

---

Most Cited Articles

The Most Cited Articles section features the journal's most impactful research, based on citation counts. These articles have been referenced frequently by other researchers, indicating their significant contribution to their respective fields.

• Household strategies and rural livelihood diversification

  Citation: 1260

  Authors: Frank

• The economics of poverty traps and persistent poverty: An asset-based approach

  Citation: 887

  Authors: Michael R., Christopher B.

• Why is Son preference so persistent in East and South Asia? a cross-country study of China, India and the Republic of Korea

  Citation: 650

  Authors: Monica, Jiang, Li, Xie, Woojin, Bae

• Foreign direct investment in developing countries and growth: A selective survey

  Citation: 644

  Authors: Luiz R.

• Foreign direct investment, financial development and economic growth

  Citation: 607

  Authors: Niels, Robert

• Governance and Trade in Fresh Vegetables: The Impact of UK Supermarkets on the African Horticulture Industry

  Citation: 591

  Authors: C., J.

• Globalisation and Unequalisation: What Can Be Learned from Value Chain Analysis?

  Citation: 564

  Authors: R.

• Behavioural and material determinants of production relations in agriculture

  Citation: 425

  Authors: Hans P., Mark R.

• Tourism and economic development: A survey

  Citation: 379

  Authors: M. Thea

• Collective efficiency: Growth path for small‐scale industry

  Citation: 364

  Authors: Hubert

---