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The effect of the growth of microfinance institutions on the percentage of women borrowers
[L’effet de la croissance des institutions de microfinance sur le pourcentage de femmes emprunteuses]

Author

Listed:
  • Votsoma Djekna

    (CRESEM - Centre de Recherche sur les Sociétés et Environnements en Méditerranées - UPVD - Université de Perpignan Via Domitia)

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between the percentage of women borrowers and the risk level of microfinance institutions (MFIs), as well as exploring the paradox that a lower percentage of women borrowers in the MFI portfolio appears to be associated with a reduced level of risk. We measured this relationship using panel data from a sample of 508 MFIs operating in 80 countries between 1999 and 2018, employing an OLS regression followed by GMM to confirm our analysis. The results show that a higher percentage of women borrowers is associated with a lower risk in the portfolio. However, the proportion of women among the clientele of MFIs is falling. The analysis shows that this apparent paradox can be explained by a shift in the historical focus of MFIs and an increase in their size: As women have reduced their exposure to risk, institutions have expanded more quickly and been compelled to diversify their clientele.

Suggested Citation

  • Votsoma Djekna, 2025. "The effect of the growth of microfinance institutions on the percentage of women borrowers [L’effet de la croissance des institutions de microfinance sur le pourcentage de femmes emprunteuses]," Post-Print hal-04985163, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04985163
    DOI: 10.3917/med.208.0070
    as

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