<p>This study aims to analyze the evolution of global research on rural entrepreneurship, focusing on its opportunities, challenges, and contributions to sustainable rural development. Despite its recognized potential to generate employment, reduce disguised unemployment, and enhance rural livelihoods, the academic exploration of rural entrepreneurship remains fragmented. To address this gap, a bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Web of Science database, covering 2,012 publications from 1992 to August 2024. Data were analyzed using the Bibliometrix package in R 4.3.1, which enabled mapping of publication trends, thematic clusters, and international collaboration networks. Findings reveal rapid growth in research output after 2015, indicating increasing academic and policy interest in rural entrepreneurship. Three dominant thematic areas emerged—innovation and sustainability, finance and economic growth, and management and strategy—highlighting the multidimensional nature of this field. The findings highlight that structural changes in the knowledge base, from resource– and livelihood–related studies to digitalization, sustainability, and policies for rural transformation. The United States, the United Kingdom, China, and India lead scientific production, while developing regions remain underrepresented. The study highlights the strategic importance of rural entrepreneurship in achieving inclusive growth and the SDGs (SDG 1 for no poverty and SDG 8 for decent work). However, limitations include reliance on a single database and language bias. Future research should integrate bibliometric and qualitative approaches to explore underrepresented themes such as gender, green entrepreneurship, and digital transformation. Overall, the study provides a comprehensive understanding of how entrepreneurship can drive sustainable transformation in rural communities worldwide.</p>