Great Expectations: Microfinance and Poverty Reduction in Asia and Latin America
Montgomery, Heather; Weiss, John | February 2005
Abstract
Microfinance institutions (MFIs) are often seen by aid practitioners as a manifestly effective means of improving the position of the poor. However, detailed research studies have been much more guarded about their impact. In particular, several studies have raised doubts about the effectiveness of MFIs in reaching the ‘core poor.’ This paper surveys the evidence from Asia and Latin America and contrasts experiences in the two regions. Studies on the former have been carried out more rigorously, but in both regions the evidence that microfinance is reaching the core poor is very limited.
Citation
Montgomery, Heather; Weiss, John. 2005. Great Expectations: Microfinance and Poverty Reduction in Asia and Latin America. © Asian Development Bank Institute. http://hdl.handle.net/11540/4168. License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.Keywords
Economic Development
Economic Infrastructure
Economic Policies
Regional Economic Development
Microfinance Programs
Public Finance
Local Financing
Financial Stability
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