<![CDATA[This study aims to map the focus and evolution of research, identify the determinants, and uncover research gaps and opportunities in the study of bilateral trade balances. A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach was employed, restricted to articles published between 2015 and 2026 and based on the Scopus database, complemented by records identified through other methods (open-access repositories and preprint archives), following the PRISMA 2020 framework. The initial Scopus search yielded 246 records; after the PRISMA selection process, nine articles met the eligibility criteria, and five additional articles were identified through other methods, resulting in a final sample of fourteen articles. The data were analyzed descriptively and synthesized narratively around three research questions: the focus and evolution of the research, the determinants of bilateral trade balances, and research gaps and opportunities. The findings indicate that research has evolved from a focus on bilateral trade flows toward bilateral trade balances and more specific measures of the trade balance. The determinants identified include macroeconomic factors, prices and competitiveness, structural factors, trade policies, and external factors. Research gaps were identified in three main clusters: conceptual/measurement gaps, empirical/contextual gaps, and methodological gaps. In conclusion, the study of bilateral trade balances is multidimensional and is shaped by the economic characteristics of, and the trade relationships between, countries. This study provides a structured map of the field's evolution, determinants, and research opportunities to support future studies on bilateral trade balances.]]>
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