**Abstract**

In the last few years, bio-inspired optimization techniques have been widely adopted in fields such as computer science, mathematics, and biology in order to optimize solutions. Bio inspired optimization problems are usually nonlinear and restricted to multiple nonlinear constraints to tackle the problems of the traditional optimization algorithms, the recent trends tend to apply bio-inspired optimization algorithms which represent a promising approach for solving complex optimization problems. This work comprises state-of-art of ten recent bio-inspired algorithms, gap analysis, and its applications namely; Particle swarm optimization (PSO), Genetic Bee Colony (GBC) Algorithm, Fish Swarm Algorithm (FSA), Cat Swarm Optimization (CSO), Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA), Artificial Algae Algorithm (AAA), Elephant Search Algorithm (ESA), Cuckoo Search Optimization Algorithm (CSOA), Moth flame optimization (MFO), and Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO) algorithm. The previous related works collected from Scopus databases are presented. Also, we explore some key issues in optimization and some applications for further research. We also analyze in-depth discussions on the essence of these algorithms and their connections to self-organization and their applications in different areas of research are presented. As a result, the proposed analysis of these algorithms leads to some key problems that have to be addressed in the future.

**Keywords:** particle swarm optimization, genetic bee colony algorithms, Fish swarm algorithm, artificial algae algorithm, Chicken swarm optimization, Grey wolf algorithm, Cat swarm optimization
