Purpose: Microfinance is a vital instrument for promoting financial inclusion among underserved communities especially in developing economies. This study analyses publication trends, leading authors, apex institutions, top journals, and leading countries conducting research in the field. It also identifies thematic clusters, keyword co-occurrence patterns and themes emerging globally in this domain. Methodology: A bibliometric analysis for the period 2015 to 2025 is conducted on microfinance and financial inclusion research which is published and indexed in the Scopus database. A total of 556 peer reviewed papers are analyzed for the study. Network and overlay visualizations of co-occurring keywords is also conducted using VOS viewer software. Findings: India is identified as the leading country in the world in microfinance and financial inclusion research with maximum publications. The research discloses six thematic clusters: Financial Systems, Credit Access & Banking; Islamic Microfinance & Women Empowerment; Innovation, Digital Transformation & Institutional Focus; Poverty Alleviation & Social Development; Performance Measurement & Policy Evaluation and Demographics, Inequality & Gender Inclusion. Additionally, recent shifts underline digital transformation, fintech integration, and women’s empowerment as emerging themes in this line of research. Research limitations: Since the data is drawn only from Scopus database, future research can consider expanding the scope across databases and timelines to further enhance the understanding. Practical and Social Implications: The findings help in comprehending that the emerging areas of research have shifted from traditional themes to digitalization, empowerment and innovation in the microfinance domain. It also offers theoretical and practical implications for scholars, policymakers and practitioners highlighting the growing need for innovation and strategies in expanding use of digital fi