As the construction industry intensifies its pursuit of sustainable and low-carbon alternatives to traditional materials, bamboo has emerged as a strategic resource owing to its rapid renewability, high strength-to-weight ratio, and superior environmental profile. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric and thematic analysis of global research trends on bamboo construction, based on 1,456 peer-reviewed publications indexed in the Scopus database between 2019 and 2024. Using VOSviewer and the bibliometrix package in R, the analysis identifies three major thematic clusters: structural performance and mechanical behavior, sustainability and environmental applications, and microstructural characterization and advanced material development. The results highlight a sharp increase in scholarly output, with China, India, and Indonesia leading both in publications and citations, driven by strong policy initiatives and abundant bamboo resources. Despite significant advancements, critical gaps persist in standardization frameworks, long-term durability assessment, and integration with smart materials. This paper proposes future research pathways, including the development of hybrid composites, microstructural optimization, and regionally adaptive building codes. By systematically mapping the evolution, challenges, and opportunities in bamboo construction, the study offers a structured framework to accelerate bamboo’s mainstream adoption as a high-performance, sustainable material in global infrastructure development.
