FINCA Results

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Latin America

Latin America is FINCA's birthplace. The Village Banking lending methodology was conceived in Bolivia, before spreading throughout South and Central America. The region includes some of the poorest countries in our network. Besides income inequality and crime, they are prone to hurricanes, flooding and earthquakes. Our clients regularly face these challenges with resilience and determination. Credit and savings are important tools to recover from setbacks and to gain a better future.

Explore Latin America Data ↓

Financial Inclusion

Latin America:
Reaching the Financially Excluded

59% Adult population financially excluded
108,840 76% Female borrowers % #
206,864 Total FINCA clients
43,817 40% Borrowers in rural areas Rural outreach is especially high in Ecuador and Guatemala. % #
142,839 Total FINCA borrowers
49% Adult population financially excluded
9,218 59% Female borrowers Like its peers in the region, FINCA Ecuador maintains a high level of outreach to women. % #
48,491 Total FINCA clients
7,989 51% Borrowers in rural areas Along with Guatemala, FINCA Ecuador has a comparatively high rate of rural outreach. % #
15,664 Total FINCA borrowers
Explore Ecuador Data
56% Adult population financially excluded
27,167 80% Female borrowers Second-highest in the world, right after FINCA Haiti. % #
33,847 Total FINCA clients
17,939 53% Borrowers in rural areas Highest outside of Eurasia. % #
33,847 Total FINCA borrowers
Explore Guatemala Data
72% Adult population financially excluded
45,479 89% Female borrowers % #
50,918 Total FINCA clients
20,367 40% Borrowers in rural areas % #
50,918 Total FINCA borrowers
Explore Haiti Data
57% Adult population financially excluded
16,725 64% Female borrowers % #
57,318 Total FINCA clients Honduras has more non-borrowing customers than any other subsidiary in the region.
8,358 32% Borrowers in rural areas % #
26,120 Total FINCA borrowers
Explore Honduras Data
72% Adult population financially excluded
10,251 63% Female borrowers FINCA Nicargua has one of the highest concentrations of female borrowers among our subsidiaries. % #
16,290 Total FINCA clients This number will increase with the launch of savings services for non-borrowing customers.
2,932 18% Borrowers in rural areas % #
16,290 Total FINCA borrowers
Explore Nicaragua Data

Financial exclusion is high in Latin America, especially for women and the poor. Only 37 percent of woemn have access to a bank account in the countries where we work, compared to 46 percent of men. That figure falls even further to 27 percent for those at the bottom of the ladder.

Three out of four borrowers are women, putting Latin America in the lead on female outreach. In addition, Guatemala and Ecuador also have significant rural outreach, while Honduras and Nicaragua are operating in more urban markets. Most of FINCA's subsidiaries in Latin America are medium-sized, with 25 to 50 thousand borrowers. Nevertheless, three of them -- Honduras, Ecuador and Nicaragua -- have been licensed to take deposits, which allows them to offer a wider range of services beyond credit. In fact, savers outnumber borrowers by more than 2 to 1 in Ecuador and Honduras, showing that there is robust demand for services that allow people to safely store and accumulate their savings.

Living Standards

Latin America:
Quality of Life

23,392 16% Client homes without water % #
30,784 22% Client homes without electricity % #
65,313 46% Client homes without access to Internet % #
27,905 20% Clients who don’t own their home % #
86,816 61% Head of household with primary education or less % #
1,253 8% Client homes without water % #
0 0% Client homes without electricity % #
3,133 20% Client homes without access to Internet % #
1,880 12% Clients who don’t own their home % #
5,890 38% Head of household with primary education or less % #
Explore Ecuador Data
5,077 15% Client homes without water % #
3,385 10% Client homes without electricity % #
14,216 42% Client homes without access to Internet % #
5,077 15% Clients who don’t own their home % #
26,028 77% Head of household with primary education or less This is the second-highest percentage in the world, just after Afghanistan. % #
Explore Guatemala Data
6,619 13% Client homes without water % #
19,858 39% Client homes without electricity % #
27,801 55% Client homes without access to Internet % #
16,803 33% Clients who don’t own their home % #
27,954 55% Head of household with primary education or less % #
Explore Haiti Data
7,836 30% Client homes without water % #
7,052 27% Client homes without electricity % #
13,321 51% Client homes without access to Internet % #
3,657 14% Clients who don’t own their home % #
17,856 68% Head of household with primary education or less % #
Explore Honduras Data
2,606 16% Client homes without water Similar to the regional average. % #
489 3% Client homes without electricity Two times less than the regional average, reflecting FINCA Nicaragua's concentration in more urban areas. % #
6,842 42% Client homes without access to Internet % #
489 3% Clients who don’t own their home The rate of home ownership in Nicaragua is the highest outside of Eurasia. % #
9,087 56% Head of household with primary education or less While somewhat better than the regional average, this indicator is very high by global standards. % #
Explore Nicaragua Data

FINCA's clients in Latin America face serious challenges in their daily life. In Honduras, about a third of our borrowers lack water and/or electricity in their homes. In the whole region, nearly half of our clients live in a household where the main earner has less than a secondary education. In Guatemala, this figure is over 75 percent, placing it right ahead of Afghanistan, a country which has been at war for most of the last several decades.

These results sharpen the focus on improving the educational attainment and income-earning potential of our clients' children, so they can break the cycle of poverty. FINCA's mission is to provide tools and financial resources to these families -- especially the mothers -- so they can provide a basic quality of life that will foster this change from one generation to the next.

Income & Employment

Latin America:
Income & Employment

$3,397 30% Average annual profit Haiti and Honduras only. Nicaragua to be included later in 2018, % #
2.5 Average # of employees per client enterprise Haiti, Honduras and Nicaragua only
230,114 People employed in FINCA-funded enterprises Haiti, Honduras and Nicaragua only.
61,201 27% Employees hired due to FINCA loan Haiti, Honduras and Nicaragua only. % #
86,655 38% Wages paid above the poverty line Haiti, Honduras and Nicaragua only. % #

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

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Explore Ecuador Data

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

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Explore Guatemala Data
$1,799 22% Average annual profit % #
2.7 Average # of employees per client enterprise
137,392 People employed in FINCA-funded enterprises
42,631 31% Employees hired due to FINCA loan % #
32,974 24% Wages paid above the poverty line % #
Explore Haiti Data
$5,920 40% Average annual profit % #
2.0 Average # of employees per client enterprise
53,260 People employed in FINCA-funded enterprises
10,530 20% Employees hired due to FINCA loan % #
16,351 31% Wages paid above the poverty line % #
Explore Honduras Data
$4,346 39% Average annual profit % #
2.4 Average # of employees per client enterprise
39,461 People employed in FINCA-funded enterprises
8,041 20% Employees hired due to FINCA loan % #
37,330 95% Wages paid above the poverty line % #
Explore Nicaragua Data

Explore FINCA Loan Sectors

FINCA has completed its Enterprise Survey in Haiti, Honduras and Nicaragua. The data we have so far shows that Latin America is very close to the global average in most employment and income indicators. The typical FINCA client employs 2.5 people in her business, including herself. A quarter of this employment is due to the loan from FINCA. Profits comprise about 30 percent of total sales. Competition is very stiff, however, so the vast majority of paid workers are earning wages below the national poverty line. Many of our Latin American clients are themselves quite poor, and their businesses are usually a means of surviving under tough circumstances.

Women’s Empowerment

Latin America:
Empowering Women

108,840 76% Female borrowers % #
27,038 19% Clients with female-headed household % #
64,860 45% Households with female as main earner % #
71,616 77% Businesses run by women % #
181,632 54% Women employed by enterprises Avg. #
178,128 76% Jobs created by women % #
9,218 59% Female borrowers Like its peers in the region, FINCA Ecuador maintains a high level of outreach to women. % #
9,218 59% Female borrowers Like its peers in the region, FINCA Ecuador maintains a high level of outreach to women. % #
1,285 8% Clients with female-headed household % #
8,226 53% Households with female as main earner % #
Explore Ecuador Data
27,167 80% Female borrowers Second-highest in the world, right after FINCA Haiti. % #
27,167 80% Female borrowers Second-highest in the world, right after FINCA Haiti. % #
4,235 13% Clients with female-headed household % #
10,586 31% Households with female as main earner Guatemala is exceptional in that most of our female clients are secondary earners. % #
Explore Guatemala Data
45,479 89% Female borrowers % #
45,479 89% Female borrowers % #
11,339 22% Clients with female-headed household % #
25,091 49% Households with female as main earner % #
41,906 82% Businesses run by women % #
59,065 43% Women employed by enterprises Avg. #
120,630 88% Jobs created by women % #
Explore Haiti Data
16,725 64% Female borrowers % #
16,725 64% Female borrowers % #
6,747 26% Clients with female-headed household % #
13,235 51% Households with female as main earner % #
18,650 71% Businesses run by women Note that this is higher than the number of female borrowers, because the data are from an Enterprise survey, which is done separately from the household survey. % #
40,225 76% Women employed by enterprises Avg. #
35,072 66% Jobs created by women % #
Explore Honduras Data
10,251 63% Female borrowers FINCA Nicargua has one of the highest concentrations of female borrowers among our subsidiaries. % #
10,251 63% Female borrowers FINCA Nicargua has one of the highest concentrations of female borrowers among our subsidiaries. % #
3,432 21% Clients with female-headed household % #
7,723 47% Households with female as main earner % #
11,061 68% Businesses run by women % #
19,385 0% Women employed by enterprises Avg. #
22,426 57% Jobs created by women % #
Explore Nicaragua Data

FINCA subsidiaries in Latin America excel in reaching women, most of whom are the primary breadwinner in their households. In Nicaragua and Honduras, about half of these women are also single parents who carry the full burden of their family's well-being. By contrast, our clients in Guatemala are living in more traditional rural families and contributing supplementary income to their household.

Whatever their family situation, virtually all of the women in Latin America are running their own enterprises. In other regions, it is relatively more common for men to be involved in our clients' businesses. Unsurprisingly, Latin America is the only region in which the employees in our clients' firms are also mostly women, showing that female entrepreneurs can a driving force in creating jobs for other women.

Clients’ Goals

Goals Set By FINCA Borrowers
Goals Met By FINCA Borrowers
7,603 8% Start a business % #
50,755 54% Expand a business % #
1,082 1% Invest in education % #
13,284 14% Improve their home % #
4,741 5% Buy an asset % #
5,706 6% Pay down debts % #

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

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.

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Explore Ecuador Data

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

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.

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Explore Guatemala Data
3,208 6% Start a business % #
35,948 71% Expand a business % #
458 1% Invest in education % #
2,800 6% Improve their home % #
102 0% Buy an asset % #
2,291 5% Pay down debts % #
Explore Haiti Data
3,711 14% Start a business % #
8,747 33% Expand a business % #
428 2% Invest in education % #
6,770 26% Improve their home % #
3,548 14% Buy an asset % #
1,672 6% Pay down debts % #
Explore Honduras Data
684 4% Start a business % #
6,060 37% Expand a business % #
195 1% Invest in education % #
3,714 23% Improve their home % #
1,091 7% Buy an asset % #
1,743 11% Pay down debts % #
Explore Nicaragua Data
6,282 81% Start a business % #
35,900 71% Expand a business % #
970 89% Invest in education % #
9,533 65% Improve their home % #
3,633 35% Buy an asset % #
2,809 48% Pay down debts % #

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

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 Guatemala.

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
6,282 81% Start a business % #
35,900 71% Expand a business % #
970 89% Invest in education % #
9,533 65% Improve their home % #
3,633 35% Buy an asset % #
2,809 48% Pay down debts % #
Explore Latin America Data
6,282 81% Start a business % #
35,900 71% Expand a business % #
970 89% Invest in education % #
9,533 65% Improve their home % #
3,633 35% Buy an asset % #
2,809 48% Pay down debts % #
Explore Latin America Data
6,282 81% Start a business % #
35,900 71% Expand a business % #
970 89% Invest in education % #
9,533 65% Improve their home % #
3,633 35% Buy an asset % #
2,809 48% Pay down debts % #
Explore Latin America Data

Each borrower comes to FINCA with a unique goal in mind. In Haiti, most of our clients are focused on expanding their businesses. Meanwhile, in Honduras, clients are striving for a wider range of goals, including improving their home, and purchasing assets.

Nicaragua's client survey is presently in the field -- check back in the fall of 2018 to see the results.

Special Topics

FINCA Loan Sectors

104,012 73% Trade % #
21,930 15% Services % #
9,833 7% Manufacturing % #
773 1% Crops % #
5,380 4% Livestock % #

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

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 Ecuador Data

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

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 Guatemala Data
43,993 86% Trade % #
4,888 10% Services % #
1,680 3% Manufacturing % #
0 0% Crops % #
0 0% Livestock % #
Explore Haiti Data
11,863 45% Trade % #
6,394 24% Services % #
4,435 17% Manufacturing % #
0 0% Crops % #
3,319 13% Livestock % #
Explore Honduras Data
12,103 74% Trade % #
3,046 19% Services % #
310 2% Manufacturing % #
505 3% Crops % #
195 1% Livestock % #
Explore Nicaragua Data

Profit and Profit/Sales Ratio by Sector

$3,523 29% Trade Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
4,268 33% Services Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$4,263 35% Manufacturing Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$1,567 9% Crops Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$2,908 19% Livestock Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit

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

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 Guatemala.

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
$3,523 29% Trade Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
4,268 33% Services Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$4,263 35% Manufacturing Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$1,567 9% Crops Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$2,908 19% Livestock Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
Explore Latin America Data
$3,523 29% Trade Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
4,268 33% Services Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$4,263 35% Manufacturing Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$1,567 9% Crops Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$2,908 19% Livestock Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
Explore Latin America Data
$3,523 29% Trade Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
4,268 33% Services Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$4,263 35% Manufacturing Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$1,567 9% Crops Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$2,908 19% Livestock Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
Explore Latin America Data

Jobs by Sector Due to FINCA Loan

41,817 68% Trade % #
9364 15% Services % #
5,757 9% Manufacturing % #
2,133 3% Crops % #
2,131 3% Livestock % #

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

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 Guatemala.

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
41,817 68% Trade % #
9364 15% Services % #
5,757 9% Manufacturing % #
2,133 3% Crops % #
2,131 3% Livestock % #
Explore Latin America Data
41,817 68% Trade % #
9364 15% Services % #
5,757 9% Manufacturing % #
2,133 3% Crops % #
2,131 3% Livestock % #
Explore Latin America Data
41,817 68% Trade % #
9364 15% Services % #
5,757 9% Manufacturing % #
2,133 3% Crops % #
2,131 3% Livestock % #
Explore Latin America Data

Latin America Stories

gladiz and the chocolate factory

Gladiz and the Chocolate Factory

Gladiz Morales's sweet success as a chocolatier has supported her family, thanks to the help of FINCA's microfinance loans.
Read Gladiz's Storyrosa us zacarias

Her Family’s New Breadwinner

Thanks to microfinance loans, Rosa Us Zacarias could pursue her dream of opening a flour mill in Guatemala, even at the age...
Read Rosa's Storylucia pacajoj

A Store of Her Own

Thanks to FINCA's microfinance loans, Lucia Margarita Pacajoj Ticum was able to create her own souvenir store and provide a better life...
Read Lucia Margarita's Story

© 2016 FINCA International

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Contact Our Research Team

© 2017 FINCA International

Visit FINCA.org