GITNUXREPORT 2026

Microfinance Statistics

Microfinance reaches over 140 million borrowers worldwide and helps lift many out of poverty.

Alexander Schmidt

Research Analyst specializing in technology and digital transformation trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Over-indebtedness affects 10% of microborrowers globally

Statistic 2

Portfolio at Risk >30 days averages 4.2% in MFIs 2022

Statistic 3

25% of MFIs reported increased default rates post-COVID

Statistic 4

Mission drift: 40% MFIs prioritize profit over poor clients

Statistic 5

Operating expense ratio for MFIs averages 20%, high for small loans

Statistic 6

Climate risks impact 30% of agricultural microloans

Statistic 7

Regulatory hurdles delay 50% MFI license approvals

Statistic 8

Gender bias in loan sizing: women get 20% smaller loans

Statistic 9

Digital divide excludes 60% rural clients from fintech MF

Statistic 10

Fraud losses in MFIs: 2-5% of portfolio annually

Statistic 11

15% MFIs face liquidity crises due to funding gaps

Statistic 12

High interest rates average 25% APR criticized for usury

Statistic 13

Staff turnover in MFIs at 25% YoY, affecting service quality

Statistic 14

Political interference caused 10% portfolio losses in some countries

Statistic 15

Cybersecurity breaches hit 12% digital MFIs in 2022

Statistic 16

Supply chain disruptions raised MFI costs 15% post-pandemic

Statistic 17

35% clients drop out due to inflexible products

Statistic 18

Environmental impact: 20% microloans fund polluting activities

Statistic 19

Data privacy violations reported in 8% MFIs

Statistic 20

Inflation eroded MFI real returns by 10% in 2022

Statistic 21

Client protection lapses in 22% MFIs per Smart Campaign

Statistic 22

Microcredit lifted 10.7% of borrowers out of poverty between 2000-2022

Statistic 23

Average income of microfinance clients increased by 25% after 2 years of borrowing

Statistic 24

In India, microfinance households saw business income rise 37% post-loan

Statistic 25

RCT studies show microcredit increases consumption by 5-10% for borrowers

Statistic 26

Microfinance clients' assets grew 15% faster than non-clients in 5 years

Statistic 27

In Ethiopia, microborrowers' net income rose 18% within 18 months

Statistic 28

Microfinance repayment rates average 97% globally, indicating economic viability

Statistic 29

Borrowers invest 70% of microloans in income-generating activities

Statistic 30

In Mexico, microcredit led to 11% increase in business profits

Statistic 31

Microfinance households in Morocco saw 22% income growth over 3 years

Statistic 32

Average ROI on microloans for clients is 20-30% in agricultural investments

Statistic 33

In Bosnia, microcredit increased household expenditure by 28%

Statistic 34

Microfinance reduced vulnerability to shocks by 15% through savings

Statistic 35

Clients' non-farm business ownership rose 12% post-microloan

Statistic 36

In Ghana, microborrowers' profits increased 35% after training-linked loans

Statistic 37

Microfinance led to 8% poverty reduction in treated villages in India

Statistic 38

Long-term borrowers saw 40% wealth accumulation vs 20% for new ones

Statistic 39

Microloans boosted female entrepreneurship by 16% in Sri Lanka

Statistic 40

In Pakistan, microcredit increased labor supply by 10%

Statistic 41

Microfinance clients' food security improved by 20% in Bangladesh

Statistic 42

Average client income growth 15% YoY in Kenyan MFIs

Statistic 43

Microcredit reduced migration for work by 7% in rural areas

Statistic 44

In Peru, Compartamos clients saw 14% business expansion

Statistic 45

Microfinance increased school enrollment by linking to income gains

Statistic 46

Borrowers' savings increased 50% with compulsory savings schemes

Statistic 47

65% of microloans used for agriculture, yielding 25% yield increase

Statistic 48

Microfinance ROI for MFIs averages 2.5% after costs in 2022

Statistic 49

Account ownership among women rose 13% due to microfinance in 2021

Statistic 50

1.4 billion adults unbanked in 2021, microfinance serves 10% of them

Statistic 51

Mobile money accounts grew to 1.6 billion globally, 40% linked to microfinance

Statistic 52

In Sub-Saharan Africa, 45% adults have mobile money, microfinance bridges 20%

Statistic 53

Digital microfinance transactions hit $100 billion in 2022

Statistic 54

76% of unbanked women gained access via microfinance groups

Statistic 55

Branchless banking via agents reached 500 million transactions in India 2023

Statistic 56

Microfinance deposit mobilization grew 20% to $150 billion in 2022

Statistic 57

In Kenya, M-Pesa integrated microloans to 30 million users

Statistic 58

Financial inclusion index rose 15% in countries with strong MFIs

Statistic 59

55% of microfinance clients were previously unbanked

Statistic 60

Agent banking networks cover 80% rural areas in Bangladesh

Statistic 61

Microsavings accounts opened 200 million new ones in 2021-2023

Statistic 62

In Pakistan, EasePK microfinance app onboarded 5 million users

Statistic 63

Credit bureau coverage for microborrowers reached 60% in Latin America 2022

Statistic 64

Fintech-microfinance partnerships served 100 million digitally in 2023

Statistic 65

In Nigeria, microfinance banks have 15 million accounts, 70% savings

Statistic 66

Remittances via microfinance channels: $50 billion annually

Statistic 67

Insurance penetration via microfinance bundling at 25% clients in 2022

Statistic 68

In Indonesia, microfinance digitalized 70% disbursements in 2023

Statistic 69

Financial literacy improved 30% among microfinance clients

Statistic 70

As of 2022, there were 139 million active microfinance borrowers worldwide, representing a 42% increase from 98 million in 2015

Statistic 71

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) served 150 million clients globally in 2021, with 80% being women

Statistic 72

The total gross loan portfolio of MFIs reached $227 billion in 2022, up 12% from the previous year

Statistic 73

In South Asia, microfinance accounts for 45% of total microcredit outreach with 72 million borrowers in 2023

Statistic 74

Africa has seen microfinance borrowers grow to 32 million in 2022, a 15% annual increase

Statistic 75

Latin America MFIs disbursed $45 billion in loans in 2021 to 22 million clients

Statistic 76

By 2023, digital microfinance platforms reached 50 million users in Southeast Asia

Statistic 77

Global microfinance market size was valued at $198.5 billion in 2023, projected to grow to $499.8 billion by 2030 at CAGR 14%

Statistic 78

India has the largest microfinance portfolio with $40 billion outstanding loans to 70 million clients as of 2023

Statistic 79

Bangladesh's microfinance sector serves 40 million borrowers with Grameen Bank alone reaching 9.5 million

Statistic 80

In 2022, 58% of microfinance clients were in rural areas globally, totaling 81 million rural borrowers

Statistic 81

Number of MFIs worldwide stood at 4,200 in 2022, down from 5,000 in 2015 due to consolidation

Statistic 82

Microfinance deposit accounts reached 320 million globally in 2023

Statistic 83

East Asia and Pacific region had 28 million microborrowers in 2022

Statistic 84

Middle East and North Africa MFIs served 12 million clients with $15 billion portfolio in 2023

Statistic 85

Microfinance penetration rate in Sub-Saharan Africa is 5% of adults, reaching 25 million in 2022

Statistic 86

Europe and Central Asia had 10 million microfinance clients in 2021

Statistic 87

Average loan size in microfinance globally is $370 as of 2022

Statistic 88

75% of MFIs operate in multiple countries, serving cross-border 20 million clients in 2023

Statistic 89

Mobile money integrated microfinance reached 120 million users in 2022

Statistic 90

Microfinance clients increased by 10% YoY to 145 million in 2023 globally

Statistic 91

Paraguay has the highest microcredit per capita at $500 in 2022

Statistic 92

Kenya's microfinance sector serves 4 million with $3 billion portfolio in 2023

Statistic 93

Vietnam MFIs reached 8 million borrowers with 15% growth in 2022

Statistic 94

Uganda has 2.5 million microborrowers, 60% women, in 2023

Statistic 95

Philippines microfinance accounts for 20% of formal credit to poor, serving 10 million

Statistic 96

Cambodia's microfinance loan portfolio hit $4 billion for 2.5 million clients in 2022

Statistic 97

Nigeria serves 8 million via microfinance banks in 2023

Statistic 98

Global microfinance funding from impact investors reached $12 billion in 2022

Statistic 99

Microfinance reached 15% of unbanked adults globally in 2021

Statistic 100

Women microborrowers' control over income rose to 60% post-loan

Statistic 101

95% of Grameen Bank borrowers are women, leading to better child nutrition

Statistic 102

Microfinance increased girls' schooling by 1.5 years in India

Statistic 103

Female borrowers report 30% higher decision-making power in households

Statistic 104

In Bangladesh, microcredit reduced domestic violence by 10-15%

Statistic 105

Microfinance clients' children immunization rates rose 20%

Statistic 106

Women-led microenterprises employ 2.5 family members on average

Statistic 107

Access to microfinance improved mental health scores by 12% for women

Statistic 108

In Uganda, microloans increased women's mobility and networks by 25%

Statistic 109

Microfinance participation raised contraceptive use by 8% among women

Statistic 110

80% of microfinance clients are women globally, enhancing gender equity

Statistic 111

Microcredit groups fostered community cohesion, reducing conflicts by 18%

Statistic 112

In Pakistan, female borrowers' bargaining power increased 22%

Statistic 113

Microfinance led to 15% drop in child labor in borrower households

Statistic 114

Women's asset ownership rose 28% after 3 years of microborrowing

Statistic 115

In Morocco, microfinance improved women's social status per surveys

Statistic 116

Microloans correlated with 10% higher female literacy participation

Statistic 117

Group lending in microfinance built social capital, 40% stronger ties

Statistic 118

In India, SHGs via microfinance empowered 50 million women politically

Statistic 119

Microfinance reduced gender wage gap by 5% in client enterprises

Statistic 120

Children's nutritional status improved 16% in female borrower homes

Statistic 121

Microfinance clients reported 25% better health access

Statistic 122

In Nepal, microcredit increased women's political participation by 12%

Statistic 123

Female borrowers invest 90% in family welfare vs 60% for men

Statistic 124

Microfinance linked to 18% rise in women's self-confidence scores

Statistic 125

In Bolivia, PRODEM microfinance reached indigenous women, boosting inclusion

Statistic 126

70% of women borrowers use loans for education/health

Statistic 127

Microfinance reduced early marriage rates by 9% in rural areas

1/127

Sources

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Imagine the quiet transformation taking place as millions of small dreams are ignited by a single loan, a reality reflected in the stunning growth of microfinance which now empowers over 139 million active borrowers worldwide, nearly half of whom have been reached just since 2015.

Key Takeaways

As of 2022, there were 139 million active microfinance borrowers worldwide, representing a 42% increase from 98 million in 2015
Microfinance institutions (MFIs) served 150 million clients globally in 2021, with 80% being women
The total gross loan portfolio of MFIs reached $227 billion in 2022, up 12% from the previous year
Microcredit lifted 10.7% of borrowers out of poverty between 2000-2022
Average income of microfinance clients increased by 25% after 2 years of borrowing
In India, microfinance households saw business income rise 37% post-loan
Women microborrowers' control over income rose to 60% post-loan
95% of Grameen Bank borrowers are women, leading to better child nutrition
Microfinance increased girls' schooling by 1.5 years in India
Account ownership among women rose 13% due to microfinance in 2021
1.4 billion adults unbanked in 2021, microfinance serves 10% of them
Mobile money accounts grew to 1.6 billion globally, 40% linked to microfinance
Over-indebtedness affects 10% of microborrowers globally
Portfolio at Risk >30 days averages 4.2% in MFIs 2022
25% of MFIs reported increased default rates post-COVID

Microfinance reaches over 140 million borrowers worldwide and helps lift many out of poverty.

Challenges

Over-indebtedness affects 10% of microborrowers globally
Portfolio at Risk >30 days averages 4.2% in MFIs 2022
25% of MFIs reported increased default rates post-COVID
Mission drift: 40% MFIs prioritize profit over poor clients
Operating expense ratio for MFIs averages 20%, high for small loans
Climate risks impact 30% of agricultural microloans
Regulatory hurdles delay 50% MFI license approvals
Gender bias in loan sizing: women get 20% smaller loans
Digital divide excludes 60% rural clients from fintech MF
Fraud losses in MFIs: 2-5% of portfolio annually
15% MFIs face liquidity crises due to funding gaps
High interest rates average 25% APR criticized for usury
Staff turnover in MFIs at 25% YoY, affecting service quality
Political interference caused 10% portfolio losses in some countries
Cybersecurity breaches hit 12% digital MFIs in 2022
Supply chain disruptions raised MFI costs 15% post-pandemic
35% clients drop out due to inflexible products
Environmental impact: 20% microloans fund polluting activities
Data privacy violations reported in 8% MFIs
Inflation eroded MFI real returns by 10% in 2022
Client protection lapses in 22% MFIs per Smart Campaign

Challenges Interpretation

The microfinance industry stands at a perilous crossroads, where its noble mission to empower the poor is being undermined by high costs, systemic risks, and ethical lapses that together threaten to turn a tool for uplift into a mechanism for entrapment.

Economic Impact

Microcredit lifted 10.7% of borrowers out of poverty between 2000-2022
Average income of microfinance clients increased by 25% after 2 years of borrowing
In India, microfinance households saw business income rise 37% post-loan
RCT studies show microcredit increases consumption by 5-10% for borrowers
Microfinance clients' assets grew 15% faster than non-clients in 5 years
In Ethiopia, microborrowers' net income rose 18% within 18 months
Microfinance repayment rates average 97% globally, indicating economic viability
Borrowers invest 70% of microloans in income-generating activities
In Mexico, microcredit led to 11% increase in business profits
Microfinance households in Morocco saw 22% income growth over 3 years
Average ROI on microloans for clients is 20-30% in agricultural investments
In Bosnia, microcredit increased household expenditure by 28%
Microfinance reduced vulnerability to shocks by 15% through savings
Clients' non-farm business ownership rose 12% post-microloan
In Ghana, microborrowers' profits increased 35% after training-linked loans
Microfinance led to 8% poverty reduction in treated villages in India
Long-term borrowers saw 40% wealth accumulation vs 20% for new ones
Microloans boosted female entrepreneurship by 16% in Sri Lanka
In Pakistan, microcredit increased labor supply by 10%
Microfinance clients' food security improved by 20% in Bangladesh
Average client income growth 15% YoY in Kenyan MFIs
Microcredit reduced migration for work by 7% in rural areas
In Peru, Compartamos clients saw 14% business expansion
Microfinance increased school enrollment by linking to income gains
Borrowers' savings increased 50% with compulsory savings schemes
65% of microloans used for agriculture, yielding 25% yield increase
Microfinance ROI for MFIs averages 2.5% after costs in 2022

Economic Impact Interpretation

These impressive statistics prove that when microfinance actually functions as intended—trusting the poor with capital instead of platitudes—it becomes a modest but mighty engine for lifting incomes, building assets, and proving that a small loan can be a giant lever for change.

Financial Inclusion

Account ownership among women rose 13% due to microfinance in 2021
1.4 billion adults unbanked in 2021, microfinance serves 10% of them
Mobile money accounts grew to 1.6 billion globally, 40% linked to microfinance
In Sub-Saharan Africa, 45% adults have mobile money, microfinance bridges 20%
Digital microfinance transactions hit $100 billion in 2022
76% of unbanked women gained access via microfinance groups
Branchless banking via agents reached 500 million transactions in India 2023
Microfinance deposit mobilization grew 20% to $150 billion in 2022
In Kenya, M-Pesa integrated microloans to 30 million users
Financial inclusion index rose 15% in countries with strong MFIs
55% of microfinance clients were previously unbanked
Agent banking networks cover 80% rural areas in Bangladesh
Microsavings accounts opened 200 million new ones in 2021-2023
In Pakistan, EasePK microfinance app onboarded 5 million users
Credit bureau coverage for microborrowers reached 60% in Latin America 2022
Fintech-microfinance partnerships served 100 million digitally in 2023
In Nigeria, microfinance banks have 15 million accounts, 70% savings
Remittances via microfinance channels: $50 billion annually
Insurance penetration via microfinance bundling at 25% clients in 2022
In Indonesia, microfinance digitalized 70% disbursements in 2023
Financial literacy improved 30% among microfinance clients

Financial Inclusion Interpretation

Microfinance is patiently building a ladder out of the data, one rung at a time, for the 1.4 billion still stranded on the ground.

Scale and Reach

As of 2022, there were 139 million active microfinance borrowers worldwide, representing a 42% increase from 98 million in 2015
Microfinance institutions (MFIs) served 150 million clients globally in 2021, with 80% being women
The total gross loan portfolio of MFIs reached $227 billion in 2022, up 12% from the previous year
In South Asia, microfinance accounts for 45% of total microcredit outreach with 72 million borrowers in 2023
Africa has seen microfinance borrowers grow to 32 million in 2022, a 15% annual increase
Latin America MFIs disbursed $45 billion in loans in 2021 to 22 million clients
By 2023, digital microfinance platforms reached 50 million users in Southeast Asia
Global microfinance market size was valued at $198.5 billion in 2023, projected to grow to $499.8 billion by 2030 at CAGR 14%
India has the largest microfinance portfolio with $40 billion outstanding loans to 70 million clients as of 2023
Bangladesh's microfinance sector serves 40 million borrowers with Grameen Bank alone reaching 9.5 million
In 2022, 58% of microfinance clients were in rural areas globally, totaling 81 million rural borrowers
Number of MFIs worldwide stood at 4,200 in 2022, down from 5,000 in 2015 due to consolidation
Microfinance deposit accounts reached 320 million globally in 2023
East Asia and Pacific region had 28 million microborrowers in 2022
Middle East and North Africa MFIs served 12 million clients with $15 billion portfolio in 2023
Microfinance penetration rate in Sub-Saharan Africa is 5% of adults, reaching 25 million in 2022
Europe and Central Asia had 10 million microfinance clients in 2021
Average loan size in microfinance globally is $370 as of 2022
75% of MFIs operate in multiple countries, serving cross-border 20 million clients in 2023
Mobile money integrated microfinance reached 120 million users in 2022
Microfinance clients increased by 10% YoY to 145 million in 2023 globally
Paraguay has the highest microcredit per capita at $500 in 2022
Kenya's microfinance sector serves 4 million with $3 billion portfolio in 2023
Vietnam MFIs reached 8 million borrowers with 15% growth in 2022
Uganda has 2.5 million microborrowers, 60% women, in 2023
Philippines microfinance accounts for 20% of formal credit to poor, serving 10 million
Cambodia's microfinance loan portfolio hit $4 billion for 2.5 million clients in 2022
Nigeria serves 8 million via microfinance banks in 2023
Global microfinance funding from impact investors reached $12 billion in 2022
Microfinance reached 15% of unbanked adults globally in 2021

Scale and Reach Interpretation

Despite their modest average of $370, these loans have proven to be a $227 billion force of financial gravity, pulling a predominantly female, rural clientele of 139 million people into the economic orbit at an accelerating rate.

Social Impact

Women microborrowers' control over income rose to 60% post-loan
95% of Grameen Bank borrowers are women, leading to better child nutrition
Microfinance increased girls' schooling by 1.5 years in India
Female borrowers report 30% higher decision-making power in households
In Bangladesh, microcredit reduced domestic violence by 10-15%
Microfinance clients' children immunization rates rose 20%
Women-led microenterprises employ 2.5 family members on average
Access to microfinance improved mental health scores by 12% for women
In Uganda, microloans increased women's mobility and networks by 25%
Microfinance participation raised contraceptive use by 8% among women
80% of microfinance clients are women globally, enhancing gender equity
Microcredit groups fostered community cohesion, reducing conflicts by 18%
In Pakistan, female borrowers' bargaining power increased 22%
Microfinance led to 15% drop in child labor in borrower households
Women's asset ownership rose 28% after 3 years of microborrowing
In Morocco, microfinance improved women's social status per surveys
Microloans correlated with 10% higher female literacy participation
Group lending in microfinance built social capital, 40% stronger ties
In India, SHGs via microfinance empowered 50 million women politically
Microfinance reduced gender wage gap by 5% in client enterprises
Children's nutritional status improved 16% in female borrower homes
Microfinance clients reported 25% better health access
In Nepal, microcredit increased women's political participation by 12%
Female borrowers invest 90% in family welfare vs 60% for men
Microfinance linked to 18% rise in women's self-confidence scores
In Bolivia, PRODEM microfinance reached indigenous women, boosting inclusion
70% of women borrowers use loans for education/health
Microfinance reduced early marriage rates by 9% in rural areas

Social Impact Interpretation

By stitching tiny financial threads into a vast social safety net, these statistics weave a clear pattern: when women are given economic agency, it doesn't just balance the books, it strengthens families, fortifies communities, and rewires society toward equity one microloan at a time.

Sources & References

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