Magnesium materials have attracted the attention of many researchers, and the related research is expanding. This article summarizes the advance in the research and development of magnesium materials globally in 2023 from bibliometric and scientific perspectives. More than 4680 articles on Mg and its alloys were published and indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection database last year. The bibliometric analyses show that the traditional structural Mg alloys, functional Mg materials, and corrosion and protection of Mg alloys are still the main research focus. Therefore, this review paper mainly focuses on the research progress of Mg cast alloys, Mg wrought alloys, bio-magnesium alloys, Mg-based energy storage materials, corrosion and protection of Mg alloys in 2023. In addition, future research directions are proposed based on the challenges and obstacles identified throughout this review.

More than 4600 papers in the field of Mg and Mg alloys were published and indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection database in 2022. The bibliometric analyses indicate that the microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion of Mg alloys are still the main research focus. Bio-Mg materials, Mg ion batteries and hydrogen storage Mg materials have attracted much attention. Notable contributions to the research and development of magnesium alloys were made by Chongqing University (>200 papers), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Northeastern University (>100 papers) in China, Helmholtz Zentrum Hereon in Germany, Ohio State University in the USA, the University of Queensland in Australia, Kumanto University in Japan, and Seoul National University in Korea, University of Tehran in Iran, and National University of Singapore in Singapore, etc. This review is aimed to summarize the progress in the development of structural and functional Mg and Mg alloys in 2022. Based on the issues and challenges identified here, some future research directions are suggested.