Here's a better article from 2015: https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/microloans-dont-solve-poverty/ https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/microloans-dont-solv

Here's a better article from 2015: https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/microloans-dont-solve-poverty/ https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/microloans-dont-solve-p... The primary research it's based on: https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/app.20140287 https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/app.20140287 I think micro finance is largely undercut by the claims made about it in the 2000s. But if it's an important issue for you maybe it's worth reading the linked book (https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1609945182/ https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1609945182/)? The reviews seem fairly positive.