This study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of financial literacy (FL) research among small business owners and entrepreneurs using the Scopus database, aiming to map the intellectual, conceptual, and thematic structure of the field. A total of 1211 initial records were retrieved, later refined to 276 relevant articles published between 1993 and 2025. Employing R programming and VOS viewer software, various bibliometric methods were applied, including co-authorship, co-citation, co-word analysis, bibliographic coupling, thematic mapping, trend analysis, and three-field plots. The strategic thematic map (Callon 1993) was instrumental in identifying motor themes, basic themes, niche themes, and emerging or declining topics. The analysis reveals the significant growth and evolution of FL research over nearly three decades, emphasizing the interconnectedness of themes such as “human,” “entrepreneurs,” and “financial literacy,” which emerged as pivotal nodes in the scholarly network. While the study highlights the value of bibliometric methods in organizing and visualizing vast literature, it also recognizes the limitation of excluding qualitative depth, which a meta-analysis could address. The exclusive reliance on the Scopus database ensures coverage of high-quality publications but may limit inclusion of gray literature or other indexing platforms. Practically, this work provides a roadmap for future research by pinpointing underexplored areas and potential collaborations among researchers and entrepreneurs. Socially, it assists both emerging and established researchers in identifying trends, relevant works, and academic partnerships, enhancing informed decision-making. The study concludes with actionable suggestions to refine and deepen future investigations in the field of financial literacy, particularly concerning entrepreneurs.
