Microenterprise and Microfinance in Numbers

70 million microenterprises representing the main source of employment for the region

• More than 100 million people work in businesses with up to 5 employees. This represents about half of total employment.

A US$ 11 billion of microloans

• This is the size of the portfolio in Latin America and the Caribbean. In 2001, the total sum was US$ 1.1 billion, 10 times less.

An estimated 650 microfinance institutions for 9,5 million clients

• Regulated microfinance institutions, a third of the total number, provide services to more than half of clients.

Close to US$ 1 billion in investment, grants and credit

• Since the late 1970s the IDB Group has financed microenterprises and the microfinance industry through direct investment, grants, loans and, increasingly, placements in private investment funds.

Sources: MIF (2009).