Open Access in the Global South: Bibliometric Developments, Institutional Frameworks, and the Invisible Role of Diamond OA

Abstract

Open Access (OA) is widely regarded as a key driver for equitable access to knowledge, yet its implementation reveals substantial disparities between the Global South and Global North. This contribution examines OA developments in Brazil, Mexico, and South Africa in comparison to Germany between 2000 and 2024, with a particular focus on the structurally underrepresented role of Diamond Open Access. Based on a mixed-methods approach, the contribution integrates bibliometric analyses based on OpenAlex data, institutional OA policy analysis, and empirical insights from surveys and expert interviews. This multi-level perspective enables a systematic comparison of structural frameworks, observable publication patterns, and researcher practices. The results show a strong overall increase in OA adoption across all countries, with converging OA shares over time. However, a central finding is a pronounced discrepancy regarding Diamond OA across different analytical levels. From a structural perspective, Diamond OA is largely absent from institutional OA policies in all examined countries. In bibliometric terms, Diamond OA appears as a marginal phenomenon, with shares of approximately 9% in South Africa and 5% in Germany. In contrast, the survey among researchers from the Global South reveals a different picture: Gold OA is identified as the most frequently used publication model, while Diamond OA ranks second.