Progress is very hard to measure. It is even harder to quantify. Too often sufficient data is lacking and therefore relevant variables are omitted. Being able to accurately measure progress however, is extremely useful. Analyzing how far we have come in a certain number of years will gives us a better benchmark as to realistic future goals. With that said, I have been trying to figure out which indicators/statistics are most relevant in measuring the progress of Microcredit.

I (and I don’t think I am alone here) like numbers. I like to see statistical evidence that progress is happening - in addition to reading inspiring articles and stories. So for everybody out there who is like me and wants to see the evidence in graph form that Microcredit works and is progressing…..here you go.

I will start today by posting two graphs which I created using data from the Microcredit Summit Campain 07′ Report - I would recommending reading this report in full as well, as it is very insightful.

I hope these graphs are as inspiring to you as they are to me. In 2006, 69.8% of the total clients reached were considered ‘poorest clients’ – that is a significant increase from the 56.3% reached in 1997.

I realize that many more programs are reporting in 2006 than in the 1990′s, and that clearly the number of ‘poorest clients’ reached will be higher - but the bottom line is… Microfinance is growing and reaching more of the ‘poorest of poor’ than ever! And if you look closely at the percent increases you will see that while the number of programs reporting increased on average by 21.7% over the span of those nine years, the number of ‘poorest clients’ reached increased on average by 33%! Now that is exciting.

I will try to keep the graphs and statistical analysis coming! Until then…