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Microfinance as a Development and Poverty Alleviation Tool in Rural Bangladesh: A Critical Assessment

Isahaque Ali, Zulkarnain A. Hatta, Azlinda Azman, Md. Shariful Islam · 2016 · Asian Social Work and Policy Review

Summary. Microfinance programs in rural Bangladesh fail to reduce poverty effectively due to high interest rates, small loan amounts, and staff corruption. Beneficiaries face weekly repayment demands and harassment. Broader structural problems—lack of jobs, education, healthcare, natural disasters, and rising living costs—perpetuate poverty despite microfinance access. The study concludes microfinance alone cannot address multidimensional poverty without complementary development interventions.

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Ali, I., Hatta, Z. A., Azman, A., & Islam, M. S.. (2016). Microfinance as a Development and Poverty Alleviation Tool in Rural Bangladesh: A Critical Assessment. Asian Social Work and Policy Review. https://doi.org/10.1111/aswp.12106

Details

DOI
10.1111/aswp.12106
Countries
Bangladesh
Regions
Asia
Categories
funding, policy
Added
2026-04-28