Paper
Measuring the Impact of Microfinance: Taking Stock of What We Know
Interpreting the results of microfinance impact studies
Download
56 pages
Over the past decade, researchers have debated the best way to measure the impact of microfinance, with two clear camps emerging:
- Those who favor quantitative techniques;
- Those who champion social performance management.
"Measuring the Impact of Microfinance" is the first comprehensive literature review of existing research on this issue. It examines roughly 100 impact evaluations released since 1986, including:
- "Reaching the Poor with Effective Microcredit," Mahabub Hossain and Catalina P. Diaz's report on Grameen-style microfinance in the Philippines;
- "Microfinance and Poverty," a new study published in 2005 by Shahidur Khandker.
Although not exhaustive, this white paper provides an interesting guide on the effectiveness of microfinance programs and the divergence in opinion among experts.
About this Publication
Published
