Three decades of differential evolution: a bibliometric analysis (1995-2025)

Since its introduction in 1995, Differential Evolution (DE) has emerged as a foundational algorithm in the domain of computational intelligence and metaheuristic optimization. This paper presents a comprehensive bibliometric and thematic review of DE research over three decades (1995–2025), based on 9,900+ publications retrieved from Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), and IEEE Xplore. By using advanced visualization tools, including Sankey diagrams (to trace institution-country-keyword flows), Choropleth maps (to reveal global research distribution), citation and co-authorship networks, and heatmaps (to assess cross-domain influence), the review uncovers major contributors, thematic concentrations, and emerging frontiers. The analysis spans publication trajectories, prolific authors and institutions, core research directions, and domain-specific applications in 12 prominent fields such as engineering optimization, artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, energy systems, and control systems. The study emphasizes the evolution of DE and its increasing interdisciplinary integration, and the growing dominance of Asia, particularly China, India, and Iran, as key centers of DE innovation. Through a synthesis of keyword co-occurrence, collaborative clustering, and citation dynamics, this review maps the landscape of DE research and outlines pressing challenges and promising avenues for future inquiry.