After graduating from the Azerbaijan Pedagogical School in Yerevan in 1946, he continued his education at the Leningrad University, where he essentially learned ancient oriental languages (Sumerian, Akkadian, Elamite, Persian).

Two major articles of Yusif Yusifov, devoted to the last period of Elam history, and PhD thesis, defended in 1958, attracted the attention of famous scientists-orientalists, and contributed to his recognition as a scholar-elamist.

Soon, national, allied and foreign journals had begun to publish his articles relating to the problems of the history of Elam, Media, Assyria and Urartu.

He left behind a rich legacy of scholarly works that continue to inspire and guide researchers in the field of Oriental studies.

Yusifov is rightfully considered one of the pillars of Azerbaijani historical science and Oriental studies, and his contributions remain relevant and valuable for contemporary research.