recent years; in recent years
Used as both a noun and an adverbial expression for a span of years close to the present. It sounds a little more written or report-like than 最近.
In recent years, rents have been rising in urban areas.
近年の研究で、この病気の原因が少しずつ分かってきた。
Recent research has gradually clarified the causes of this disease.
In recent years, interest in environmental issues has been growing.
It was only in recent years that its effectiveness was finally recognized.