FINCA Results

Measuring Our Impact

Social Performance Management

Visit FINCA.org

Eurasia

FINCA started operations in Eurasia in 1995 and now serves nearly 400,000 people, including 155,000 borrowers. Our footprint in Eurasia includes countries that suffer from widespread poverty, such as Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Some of these populations are highly unbanked –with financial exclusion exceeding 80% of the adult population – leaving families without the resources to increase their incomes, build assets and improve their lives.

FINCA's impact in Eurasia is particularly evident in two areas: rural outreach and job creation. Rural customers make up 65% of all borrowers, nearly two times higher than any other region. Many of our borrowers are engaged in farming and rearing livestock. These agricultural clients need access to financial services to purchase seeds or fertilizer in bulk and they pay their loans back when their harvest comes in.

Our research shows that FINCA's loans have a strong impact on agricultural activities in the region, enabling our clients to grow their farms and to employ additional workers. Each client business in Eurasia employs 1.8 people and more than half of these newly created jobs are directly attributable to FINCA loans.

Explore Eurasia Data ↓

Financial Inclusion

Eurasia:
Reaching the Financially Excluded

41% Adult population financially excluded The regional average is skewed by Russia, whose population is 5 times all the other countries combined.
118,995 40% Female borrowers Almost half of our Eurasia borrowers are female. % #
384,599 Total FINCA clients FINCA's non-borrowing customers (micro-savers) are mainly served by FINCA Georgia, which has been offering savings services since 2015. FINCA Kygyzstan has recently been granted a banking license, and will be growing this segment of FINCA's client base in the coming years.
194,452 65% Borrowers in rural areas More than half of our borrowers in Eurasia live in rural areas. % #
298,462 Total FINCA borrowers
83% Adult population financially excluded Financial exclusion in Armenia is more than two times higher than the regional average of 40.6%.
14,322 34% Female borrowers % #
41,621 Total FINCA clients
Explore Armenia Data
71% Adult population financially excluded
16,835 25% Female borrowers % #
66,686 Total FINCA clients
Explore Azerbaijan Data
60% Adult population financially excluded
21,989 46% Female borrowers % #
102,587 Total FINCA clients Georgia is the only subsidiary in the region -- and one of the few in the world -- that serves more savers than borrowers.
Explore Georgia Data
52% Adult population financially excluded
2,255 16% Female borrowers % #
14,522 Total FINCA clients
Explore Kosovo Data
82% Adult population financially excluded The rate of financial exclusion (82%) is very high and twice as much as the regional average (41%).
52,719 55% Female borrowers Female outreach in Kyrgyzstan is significantly higher than the region overall (40%). % #
118,570 Total FINCA clients
Explore Kyrgyzstan Data
89% Adult population financially excluded
9,044 31% Female borrowers % #
37,022 Total FINCA clients
Explore Tajikistan Data

With increased income and the ability to save and take on credit, financial services provide the means for poor families to acquire land, construct or improve their home, purchase livestock or expand their businesses.

Unfortunately, in Eurasia many poor and rural families do not have access to banking services. Less than 25% of the adult population has access to a bank account.

More than any other region, FINCA Eurasia has established a presence in rural communities. FINCA subsidiaries have developed services that are tailored to the needs of farmers, including credit for agriculture and livestock. As a result of these efforts, two thirds of our borrowers in Eurasia are from rural areas.

Living Standards

Eurasia:
Quality of Life

49,635 17% Client homes without water % #
1,536 1% Client homes without electricity % #
164,637 55% Client homes without access to Internet % #
9,589 3% Clients who don’t own their home % #
9,666 3% Head of household with primary education or less % #
6,659 16% Client homes without water % #
0 0% Client homes without electricity % #
12,070 29% Client homes without access to Internet Internet access in Armenia has been improving over the past few years, and is actually higher in Armenia than in the region overall. % #
1,249 3% Clients who don’t own their home % #
0 0% Head of household with primary education or less % #
Explore Armenia Data
18,672 28% Client homes without water In the capital, Baku, the water problem boils down to one of quantity, while in other parts of the country, it is one of poor quality. % #
0 0% Client homes without electricity % #
38,678 58% Client homes without access to Internet Internet service in Azerbaijan is expanding, but slowly and at high cost. % #
667 1% Clients who don’t own their home % #
1,970 3% Head of household with primary education or less % #
Explore Azerbaijan Data
8,579 18% Client homes without water Rural people struggle to obtain safe drinking water, relying mainly on local wells or springs. % #
0 0% Client homes without electricity % #
19,065 40% Client homes without access to Internet % #
1,430 3% Clients who don’t own their home Many Georgians need to improve or expand their dwellings, especially those that are accommodating multiple generations under one roof, which is common in rural areas. % #
1,319 3% Head of household with primary education or less % #
Explore Georgia Data
1,888 13% Client homes without water Water quality is a common problem for rural households, which often rely on domestic wells with inadequate sanitation systems. % #
0 0% Client homes without electricity % #
2,904 20% Client homes without access to Internet % #
290 2% Clients who don’t own their home % #
3,964 27% Head of household with primary education or less This is 10x the regional average. Lower levels of education are especially common among women. % #
Explore Kosovo Data
1,904 2% Client homes without water Although the population’s access to safe drinking water improved significantly during last decade, there are huge disparities among regions in the country. Nonetheless, only 2% of FINCA’s borrowers live in homes without running water. % #
952 1% Client homes without electricity % #
69,478 73% Client homes without access to Internet This is about 20 percentage points higher than in the overall region (55%). % #
4,759 5% Clients who don’t own their home % #
880 1% Head of household with primary education or less % #
Explore Kyrgyzstan Data
11,682 40% Client homes without water % #
584 2% Client homes without electricity % #
21,904 75% Client homes without access to Internet This is 20 percentage points higher the regional average. Internet penetration is constrained by a limited reach of the telcom sector, the high cost of access, and widespread poverty. % #
584 2% Clients who don’t own their home % #
1,519 5% Head of household with primary education or less % #
Explore Tajikistan Data

As businesses and incomes grow, the quality of life in the homes of poor families improves. Besides making repairs or home improvements, families can start investing in simple innovations to help their daily life, such as installing running water.

Our research shows that FINCA's clients in Eurasia have better living standards than in the other regions where FINCA works. Electricity is more widely available and most adults have been able to progress beyond a primary education.

There are, however, instances of acute hardship in certain countries, such as the lack of clean water in Azerbaijan and Tajikistan. Meanwhile, nearly a third of our clients' households in Kosovo are headed by someone with less than a secondary education. This problem not only poses daily challenges; it also undermines the family's ability to improve their quality of life over time.

Income & Employment

Eurasia:
Income & Employment

$7,457 46% Average annual profit 46% of the total sales in Georgia and Azerbaijan. % #
1.76 Average # of employees per client enterprise Georgia and Azerbaijan only
200,942 People employed in FINCA-funded enterprises Georgia and Azerbaijan only.
116,264 58% Employees hired due to FINCA loan Georgia and Azerbaijan only. % #
172,373 86% Wages paid above the poverty line Georgia and Azerbaijan only % #

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Armenia.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

DONATE
$10,348 42% Average annual profit FINCA’s clients in Azerbaijan have 40% higher annual sales and earn 30% higher yearly profits than their counterparts in the region. % #
1.81 Average # of employees per client enterprise Each enterprise funded by FINCA creates jobs for 1.8 employees on average (including the owner).
120,891 People employed in FINCA-funded enterprises
79,942 66% Employees hired due to FINCA loan FINCA’s clients attribute two-thirds of total employment in their businesses directly to the loans they received from FINCA. % #
109,164 90% Wages paid above the poverty line About 90% of the people working in the businesses served by FINCA are earning wages that are above the national poverty line. % #
Explore Azerbaijan Data
$3,412 50% Average annual profit 50% of the total sales. % #
1.68 Average # of employees per client enterprise
80,051 People employed in FINCA-funded enterprises
36,322 45% Employees hired due to FINCA loan % #
63,208 79% Wages paid above the poverty line % #
Explore Georgia Data

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Kosovo.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

DONATE

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Kyrgyzstan.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

DONATE

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Tajikistan.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

DONATE

Explore FINCA Loan Sectors

Not only do financial services provide budding entrepreneurs with the opportunity to create jobs for themselves, but it ensures that microenterprises can grow and provide job opportunities for others.

In Azerbaijan and Georgia, there is strong evidence of job-creation amongst our clients. Nearly 217,000 people are employed in our clients' enterprises, including the owner, or 1.8 people per enterprise. Our clients attribute over half of their total employment directly to the help of FINCA's loans. Many clients use FINCA loans to cover their employees’ wages. About 86% of employees earning a salary in these Eurasian businesses are being paid above the national poverty line, helping more families to manage their expenses and save for the future.

Women’s Empowerment

Eurasia:
Empowering Women

40,004 35% Businesses run by women % #
220,381 42% Women employed by enterprises Avg. #
67,383 34% Jobs created by women % #
14,322 34% Female borrowers % #
5,861 14% Clients with female-headed household % #
10,159 24% Households with female as main earner % #
Explore Armenia Data
16,835 25% Female borrowers % #
6,129 9% Clients with female-headed household % #
10,586 16% Households with female as main earner % #
20,939 31% Businesses run by women About a third (31.4%) of the FINCA-funded enterprises are owned and run by women in Azerbaijan. % #
38,678 32% Women employed by enterprises Avg. #
38,564 32% Jobs created by women % #
Explore Azerbaijan Data
21,989 46% Female borrowers % #
5,460 11% Clients with female-headed household % #
18,562 39% Households with female as main earner % #
19,065 40% Businesses run by women % #
45,756 57% Women employed by enterprises Avg. #
28,818 36% Jobs created by women Research shows that female-owned businesses in Georgia tend to employ proportionally more women. % #
Explore Georgia Data
2,255 16% Female borrowers % #
852 6% Clients with female-headed household % #
1,563 11% Households with female as main earner % #
Explore Kosovo Data
52,719 55% Female borrowers Female outreach in Kyrgyzstan is significantly higher than the region overall (40%). % #
12,387 13% Clients with female-headed household % #
38,932 41% Households with female as main earner % #
Explore Kyrgyzstan Data
9,044 31% Female borrowers % #
6,151 21% Clients with female-headed household % #
7,177 25% Households with female as main earner % #
Explore Tajikistan Data

Globally, women play a critical role in their families’ survival and success. With increased incomes, women invest not only in growing their own businesses but also in the health, well-being and success of their families.

In Eurasia, where 40% of our clients are women, many women are the main breadwinners for the family.

Women are creating jobs for others in their community too, enabling these employees to invest in their families’ futures. In Azerbaijan, our female clients create a large share of jobs, especially in the trade and crop sectors, where the employment impact of FINCA's loan is higher. By comparison, the women nearby in Georgia are participating more in other sectors, like services, where job creation is somewhat less intensive.

In Georgia, women make up a higher share of the employees working in our clients' businesses. By supporting job opportunities for women in our clients' communities, FINCA hopes to give them greater economic independence and increased income to care for their families.

Clients’ Goals

Goals Set By FINCA Borrowers
Goals Met By FINCA Borrowers
No items found

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Armenia.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

DONATE
1,467 2% Start a business % #
35,077 53% Expand a business More than one-half (53%) of FINCA’s borrowers in Azerbaijan aspire to expand their existing businesses, expressing confidence that they will meet this goal (91%). % #
734 1% Invest in education % #
18,005 27% Improve their home About a third of clients (27%) intend to improve their homes. The vast majority of borrowers in Azerbaijan reported owning a home, and additional financing can help them to improve its size or quality. % #
5,468 8% Buy an asset % #
3,134 5% Pay down debts % #
Explore Azerbaijan Data
4,337 9% Start a business % #
17,873 38% Expand a business This is the most commonly-cited goal. % #
477 1% Invest in education % #
5,624 12% Improve their home The second highest priority for FINCA borrowers in Georgia is to improve their homes (12%). % #
1,096 2% Buy an asset % #
1,239 3% Pay down debts % #
Explore Georgia Data

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Kosovo.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

DONATE

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Kyrgyzstan.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

DONATE

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Tajikistan.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

DONATE
No items found

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Armenia.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

DONATE
62,518 94% Start a business Customers with business aspirations express the greatest confidence about meeting their goals. % #
60,872 91% Expand a business % #
58,350 88% Invest in education % #
42,679 64% Improve their home % #
64,500 97% Buy an asset % #
56,266 84% Pay down debts % #
Explore Azerbaijan Data
37,987 80% Start a business % #
42,753 90% Expand a business % #
37,081 78% Invest in education % #
37,891 80% Improve their home % #
35,747 75% Buy an asset % #
32,505 68% Pay down debts % #
Explore Georgia Data

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Kosovo.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

DONATE

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Kyrgyzstan.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

DONATE

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Tajikistan.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

DONATE

Our clients set goals for their growing businesses – goals to expand their businesses as well as improve their homes.

Most of FINCA’s borrowers in Eurasia aspire either to expand their existing businesses or to start a new one. The second most important goal is to improve their homes or to buy an asset, such as a major appliance.

The vast majority of clients who are expanding their businesses believe that FINCA loans are (or will be) instrumental in achieving their goals.

Special Topics

FINCA Loan Sectors

64,866 22% Trade % #
90,704 30% Services % #
31,292 10% Manufacturing % #
56,236 19% Crops % #
55,364 19% Livestock % #

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Armenia.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

DONATE
14,271 21% Trade % #
22,740 34% Services % #
4,935 7% Manufacturing % #
11,870 18% Crops % #
12,870 19% Livestock % #
Explore Azerbaijan Data
10,581 22% Trade % #
12,011 25% Services % #
7,054 15% Manufacturing % #
9,675 20% Crops % #
8,341 18% Livestock % #
Explore Georgia Data

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Kosovo.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

DONATE

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Kyrgyzstan.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

DONATE

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Tajikistan.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

DONATE

Profit and Profit/Sales Ratio by Sector

$11,566 29% Trade Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
9,145 38% Services Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$7,302 51% Manufacturing Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$3,820 63% Crops Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$3,365 59% Livestock Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Armenia.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

DONATE
$16,653 27% Trade Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
12,637 31% Services Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$9,568 51% Manufacturing Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$5,002 66% Crops Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$4,545 54% Livestock Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
Explore Azerbaijan Data
$4,448 33% Trade Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
4,261 47% Services Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$4,131 51% Manufacturing Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$2,166 59% Crops Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$1,713 67% Livestock Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
Explore Georgia Data

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Kosovo.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

DONATE

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Kyrgyzstan.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

DONATE

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Tajikistan.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

DONATE

Jobs by Sector Due to FINCA Loan

22,956 20% Trade % #
33267 Services % #
13,916 12% Manufacturing % #
30,105 26% Crops % #
16,019 14% Livestock % #

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Armenia.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

DONATE
15,034 19% Trade % #
26874 Services % #
6,640 8% Manufacturing % #
19,739 25% Crops % #
11,655 15% Livestock % #
Explore Azerbaijan Data
7,922 22% Trade % #
6393 Services % #
7,276 20% Manufacturing % #
10,366 29% Crops % #
4,364 12% Livestock % #
Explore Georgia Data

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Kosovo.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

DONATE

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Kyrgyzstan.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

DONATE

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Tajikistan.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

DONATE

Eurasia Stories

Konul Khalilova is employed by a FINCA client.

A Dream in Sight

Konul Khalilova is one of two employees at a busy women’s clothing shop, owned by a FINCA Azerbaijan client. Konul is a...
Read Konul's StoryNanuli Nutsubidze, FINCA Georgia Client

Aunt Nanuli’s Pies

Nanuli lives in Gori, Georgia, near the railway station. She has a small kiosk on the platform selling very popular meat-filled fried...
Read Nanuli's StoryMahkputza FINCA Kyrgyzstan client

The Impossible is Possible

With the fall of communism in Kyrgyzstan government support of the healthcare system was slashed. Doctors like Makhpuza saw their incomes plummet...
Read Makhpuza's Story

© 2016 FINCA International

Contact Our Research Team

Visit FINCA.org

Contact Our Research Team

© 2017 FINCA International

Visit FINCA.org