IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/sae/prodev/v5y2005i4p298-309.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The impact of micro-credit on poverty: evidence from Bangladesh

Author

Listed:
  • M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury

    (Department of Finance and Banking, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh)

  • Dipak Ghosh

    (Department of Economics, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK, dipak.ghosh@stir.ac.uk)

  • Robert E. Wright

    (Department of Economics, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK)

Abstract

This paper examines empirically the impact of micro-credit on poverty in Bangladesh. Unlike previous studies, the focus is on both objective and subjective poverty and particular attention is paid to the length of time programme participants have had access to micro-credit. A household-level survey ( N = 954) was carried out, collecting information about micro-credit recipients from Grameen Bank, the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee and the Association of Social Advancement. Our two main findings are, first, micro-credit is associated with both lower objective and subjective poverty and, secondly, the impact of micro-credit on poverty is particularly strong for about six years with some levelling off after that point.

Suggested Citation

  • M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury & Dipak Ghosh & Robert E. Wright, 2005. "The impact of micro-credit on poverty: evidence from Bangladesh," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 5(4), pages 298-309, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:prodev:v:5:y:2005:i:4:p:298-309
    DOI: 10.1191/1464993405ps116oa
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1191/1464993405ps116oa
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1191/1464993405ps116oa?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Khalily, M. A. Baqui & Imam, Mahmood Osman & Khan , Salahuddin Ahmed, 2000. "Efficiency and Sustainability of Formal and Quasi-formal Microfinance Programmes—An Analysis of Grameen Bank and ASA," Bangladesh Development Studies, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), vol. 26(2-3), pages 103-146, June-Sept.
    2. Hossain, Mahabub, 1988. "Credit for alleviation of rural poverty: the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh," Research reports 65, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    3. Rahman, Aminur, 1999. "Micro-credit initiatives for equitable and sustainable development: Who pays?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 27(1), pages 67-82, January.
    4. repec:pri:rpdevs:morduch_microfinance_poor is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Coleman, Brett E., 1999. "The impact of group lending in Northeast Thailand," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 60(1), pages 105-141, October.
    6. Jonathan Morduch, 1999. "The Microfinance Promise," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 37(4), pages 1569-1614, December.
    7. Jonathan Morduch, 1998. "Does Microfinance Really Help the Poor? New Evidence from Flagship Programs in Bangladesh," Working Papers 198, Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Research Program in Development Studies..
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Mausumi Mahapatro & Deborah Johnston, 2020. "Imperfection Measures and the Production of Poverty: A Case Study of the Use of the Asset Index in Bangladesh," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 152(2), pages 513-531, November.
    2. N’Banan Ouattara & Xueping Xiong & Moussa Bakayoko & Trazié Bertrand Athanase Youan Bi & Dessalegn Anshiso Sedebo & Zié Ballo, 2022. "What Influences Rice Farmers’ Choices of Credit Sources in Côte d’Ivoire? An Econometric Analysis using the Multinomial Conditional Logit Model," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 22(2), pages 149-173, April.
    3. Chenhong Peng & Paul S. F. Yip & Yik Wa Law, 2020. "What Factors Beyond Economic Poverty Lead People in High-income Societies to Feel Poor? Evidence from Hong Kong," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 152(3), pages 991-1027, December.
    4. Kuldeep Singh & Madhvendra Misra & Jitendra Yadav, 2021. "Corporate social responsibility and financial inclusion: Evaluating the moderating effect of income," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 42(5), pages 1263-1274, July.
    5. Dilruba Khanam & Syeda Sonia Parvin & Muhammad Mohiuddin & Asadul Hoque & Zhan Su, 2018. "Financial Sustainability of Non-Governmental Microfinance Institutions (MFIs): A Cost-Efficiency Analysis of BRAC, ASA, and PROSHIKA from Bangladesh," Review of Economics & Finance, Better Advances Press, Canada, vol. 12, pages 43-56, May.
    6. Muhammad Imtiaz Subhani & Amber Osman, 2011. "Better Micro Financers in Pakistan, Banks or Financial Institutions," Acta Universitatis Danubius. OEconomica, Danubius University of Galati, issue 1(1), pages 104-109, March.
    7. Kadyrbek Sultakeev & Kamalbek Karymshakov & Burulcha Sulaimanova, 2018. "The Impact Of Microfinance On Entrepreneurship In Kyrgyzstan," Acta Oeconomica Pragensia, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2018(2), pages 24-40.
    8. Tanni Roy & Md. Emran Hossain & Md. Jahid Ebn Jalal & Jiban Krishna Saha & Eshrat Sharmin & Md. Akhtaruzzaman Khan, 2021. "Effects of credit on national and agricultural GDP, and poverty: a developing country perspective," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 1(10), pages 1-20, October.
    9. María del Pilar López Uribe & María Alejandra Chávez & María Paula Neira & Paulina Pastrana, 2021. "La Agenda Global de Género: un camino para el empoderamiento," Documentos CEDE 19150, Universidad de los Andes, Facultad de Economía, CEDE.
    10. Vu Ha Thu & Daisaku Goto, 2020. "Does Microfinance Improve the Household Welfare of Ethnic Minorities? Evidence from Bac Kan Province, Vietnam," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 20(1), pages 65-83, January.
    11. Dilruba Khanam & Muhammad Mohiuddin & Asadul Hoque & Olaf Weber, 2018. "Financing micro-entrepreneurs for poverty alleviation: a performance analysis of microfinance services offered by BRAC, ASA, and Proshika from Bangladesh," Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, Springer;UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship, vol. 8(1), pages 1-17, December.
    12. Tonya Knight & Farhad Hossain & Christopher J. Rees, 2009. "Microfinance and the commercial banking system," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 9(2), pages 115-125, April.
    13. M Saiful Islam & Tarikul Islam, 2018. "Micro-Finance for Women Empowerment: A Rural-Urban Analysis," Information Management and Business Review, AMH International, vol. 10(3), pages 38-46.
    14. Baldi, Guido & Sadovskis, Vairis & Šipilova, Viktorija, 2014. "Economic and Employment Effects of Microloans in a Transition Country," MPRA Paper 52736, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    15. Subhani, Muhammad Imtiaz & Osman, Ms.Amber, 2011. "Better Micro Financers in Pakistan, Banks or Financial Institutions," MPRA Paper 34722, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    16. Syeda Sonia Parvin & Belayet Hossain & Muhammad Mohiuddin & Qingfeng Cao, 2020. "Capital Structure, Financial Performance, and Sustainability of Micro-Finance Institutions (MFIs) in Bangladesh," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-18, August.
    17. Debashis Sarker, 2015. "Inclusion of disabled people in microfinance institutions: Where does Bangladesh stand?," International Journal of Innovation and Economic Development, Inovatus Services Ltd., vol. 1(1), pages 67-79, April.
    18. Khan, Md Faisal Abedin & Uddin, Md Sazib & Giessen, Lukas, 2021. "Microcredit expansion and informal donor interests: Experiences from local NGOs in the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest, Bangladesh," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 21(C).
    19. Shakina Sultana Pomi, 2019. "Impact of Microcredit on Rural Poverty Alleviation in the Context of Bangladesh," International Journal of Economics and Finance, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 11(6), pages 1-70, June.
    20. Rajeshwari, B. & Deo, Nandini & van Wessel, Margit, 2020. "Negotiating autonomy in capacity development: Addressing the inherent tension," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    21. Parwez, Sazzad, 2013. "Impact Assessment of Self Help Group towards Rural Development: A Case Study of Jharkhand, India," MPRA Paper 60460, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 21 Jan 2014.
    22. Khatun, Mst Asma & Islam, Mohammad Amirul & Majumder, Shankar, 2012. "Impact of micro-credit programmes on poverty alleviation in Bangladesh," Bangladesh Journal of Agricultural Economics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, vol. 35(1-2).
    23. Dhaoui, Iyad, 2011. "La microfinance comme outil de lutte contre la pauvreté: réflexions de l'expérience d'ENDA [Microfinance as a tool for fighting poverty: reflections from ENDA's experience]," MPRA Paper 87359, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    24. Mohammad Mojibul Hoque Mozumder & Md. Abdul Wahab & Simo Sarkki & Petra Schneider & Mohammad Mahmudul Islam, 2018. "Enhancing Social Resilience of the Coastal Fishing Communities: A Case Study of Hilsa ( Tenualosa Ilisha H.) Fishery in Bangladesh," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-21, September.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Chliova, Myrto & Brinckmann, Jan & Rosenbusch, Nina, 2015. "Is microcredit a blessing for the poor? A meta-analysis examining development outcomes and contextual considerations," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 30(3), pages 467-487.
    2. Jain, Sanjay & Mansuri, Ghazala, 2003. "A little at a time: the use of regularly scheduled repayments in microfinance programs," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 72(1), pages 253-279, October.
    3. Gunhild Berg, 2010. "Evaluating The Impacts Of Microsaving: The Case Of Sewa Bank In India," Journal of Economic Development, Chung-Ang Unviersity, Department of Economics, vol. 35(1), pages 75-96, March.
    4. Gutiérrez-Nieto, Begoña & Serrano-Cinca, Carlos, 2019. "20 years of research in microfinance: An information management approach," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 183-197.
    5. Khan, Md Faisal Abedin & Uddin, Md Sazib & Giessen, Lukas, 2021. "Microcredit expansion and informal donor interests: Experiences from local NGOs in the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest, Bangladesh," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 21(C).
    6. Wan Nurulasiah binti Wan Mustapa & Abdullah Al Mamun & Mohamed Dahlan Ibrahim, 2018. "Economic Impact of Development Initiatives on Low-Income Households in Kelantan, Malaysia," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 7(7), pages 1-17, July.
    7. Mark Schreiner & Jacob Yaron, 2001. "Development Finance Institutions : Measuring Their Subsidy," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 13983, December.
    8. Waqas Umar Latif & Sana Ullah & Wasim Ahmed & Muhammad Umar Sultan & Rana Muhammad Sohail Jafar & Muhammad Tariq & Wang Linping, 2020. "Microcredit and Economic Welfare: Experience of Poor Rural Households from Pakistan," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(6), pages 976-997, August.
    9. Mathilde Maîtrot & Miguel Niño-Zarazúa, 2017. "Poverty and wellbeing impacts of microfinance: What do we know?," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2017-190, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    10. Mathilde Maîtrot & Miguel Niño-Zarazúa, 2017. "Poverty and wellbeing impacts of microfinance: What do we know?," WIDER Working Paper Series 190, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    11. Maren Duvendack & Richard Palmer-Jones, 2012. "High Noon for Microfinance Impact Evaluations: Re-investigating the Evidence from Bangladesh," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 48(12), pages 1864-1880, December.
    12. Hisaki KONO & Kazushi TAKAHASHI, 2010. "Microfinance Revolution: Its Effects, Innovations, And Challenges," The Developing Economies, Institute of Developing Economies, vol. 48(1), pages 15-73, March.
    13. Shahidur R. Khandker, 2005. "Microfinance and Poverty: Evidence Using Panel Data from Bangladesh," The World Bank Economic Review, World Bank, vol. 19(2), pages 263-286.
    14. Asadul Islam Author-X-Name-Asadul, 2008. "Who Benefits From Microfinance? The Impact Evaluation Of Large Scale Programs In Bangladesh," Monash Economics Working Papers 29/08, Monash University, Department of Economics.
    15. Li, Xia & Gan, Christopher & Hu, Baiding, 2011. "The welfare impact of microcredit on rural households in China," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 40(4), pages 404-411, August.
    16. Ghulam Hussain, A.K.M. & Nargis, Nigar & Ashiquzzaman, S.M. & Khalil, Fahad, 2019. "The employment impact of microcredit program participation in Bangladesh: Evidence from a longitudinal household survey," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 13(C), pages 34-49.
    17. Bashir, Rabia & Bajwa, Sami & Mamoon, Dawood, 2017. "Channeling Local Culture into Sustainable Microfinance Solutions by Akhuwat: From Borrowers to Donors," MPRA Paper 81591, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    18. Wook Sohn & Laila Ume, 2019. "The Impact of Microfinance on Poverty Alleviation: The Case of Pakistan," Journal of Asian Development, Macrothink Institute, vol. 5(3), pages 16-36, November.
    19. Islam, Jamal & Mohajan, Haradhan & Datta, Rajib, 2012. "Aspects of microfinance system of Grameen Bank of Bangladesh," MPRA Paper 50691, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 27 Mar 2012.
    20. Abu S. Shonchoy, 2015. "Seasonal Migration and Microcredit During Agricultural Lean Seasons: Evidence from Northwest Bangladesh," The Developing Economies, Institute of Developing Economies, vol. 53(1), pages 1-26, March.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:sae:prodev:v:5:y:2005:i:4:p:298-309. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: SAGE Publications (email available below). General contact details of provider: .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.