The 2026 review of development economics journals provides a comprehensive overview of publication trends, journal performance, submission patterns, acceptance rates, review timelines, and emerging challenges facing academic publishing. The report compiles data from leading development-focused journals and offers valuable insights into how the field is evolving in response to increasing research activity and global participation.
One of the most significant findings is the dramatic growth in journal submissions. The twelve journals covered in the study collectively received 16,767 submissions, representing a 34 percent increase compared to the previous year and a 59 percent increase since 2022. Major journals such as the Journal of Development Economics (JDE) and World Development experienced especially strong growth, reflecting the expanding volume of research being conducted in development economics worldwide.
A notable driver of this growth has been the increasing participation of researchers from developing regions, particularly China. Several journals reported substantial increases in submissions from Chinese scholars, with China now accounting for a large share of total submissions in some publications. Growth has also been observed from regions including Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa, indicating a broader diversification of contributors to development research.
The number of published papers has also increased significantly. Across the journals examined, 1,147 papers were published during 2025, marking a 22 percent increase from the previous year. This growth demonstrates that journals are expanding publication capacity to accommodate rising submission volumes, helping maintain relatively stable acceptance rates despite increasing competition among authors.
Acceptance rates vary across journals, but the report notes that many have remained relatively stable because publication volumes have grown alongside submissions. However, acceptance rates should not be interpreted as direct measures of publication difficulty, since the quality and fit of submissions differ considerably across journals and disciplines. Authors are encouraged to consider journal scope and research quality rather than focusing solely on acceptance statistics.
The report also compares development journals with publications managed by the American Economic Association. Interestingly, some development journals now receive significantly more submissions than highly prestigious economics journals. This highlights both the growing importance of development economics and the increasing workload faced by editors and reviewers who must manage thousands of submissions annually.
Special publication formats continue to gain attention. The Journal of Development Economics has expanded its short-paper track, which allows concise research articles to be reviewed and published more quickly. The journal has also continued developing its registered reports initiative, where research designs are evaluated and accepted before study results are known. These approaches aim to improve research transparency, efficiency, and scientific rigor.
Review efficiency remains a major concern for researchers. The report finds that the average desk rejection rate across journals is approximately 74 percent, while review times for papers sent to referees typically range from two to five months. Although many journals have improved processing speeds, some submissions still experience lengthy review periods, highlighting ongoing challenges in managing increasing manuscript volumes.
Artificial intelligence has emerged as a new issue in academic publishing. Journal editors report that they have not yet experienced large numbers of fully AI-generated submissions, but they have observed growing use of AI tools to improve writing quality, particularly among non-native English speakers. Publishers are developing policies requiring authors to disclose AI usage while maintaining responsibility for all content submitted for publication.
Another important development is the introduction of submission fees by some journals. These fees are intended to help manage rising submission volumes, improve review processes, and strengthen quality-control measures. Many journals offer fee reductions or waivers for students and authors from low- and middle-income countries to ensure that financial barriers do not limit participation in academic research.
Overall, the report highlights a rapidly expanding and increasingly global development economics research community. Rising submissions, broader geographic participation, growing publication output, new publication formats, and evolving AI policies demonstrate how academic publishing is adapting to changing research environments. While challenges related to review capacity and publication competition remain, the data indicate a vibrant and growing field that continues to generate substantial scholarly output and policy-relevant knowledge.
