The Impact of Microcredit Services on the Rural Economy: Evidence from Albania
The Impact of Microcredit Services on the Rural Economy: Evidence from Albania

Summary/Abstract: This study's main objective is to explore microfinance services' impact on Albania's rural creditors. Agriculture is turning into an important economic sector for Albania in recent years. This sector is still the basis of income for most of the population and serves as an essential employment source. The Albanian government, microfinance institutions, and other international organizations are jointly undertaking a series of programs and projects to create subsidized loans for rural area residents. This demographic group continually faces challenges. Through an empirical analysis, the research paper aims to assess the impact that microcredit has had on rural areas, the challenges these areas face and analyze some of the elements that may influence the improvement of borrowing conditions in the future. The research was conducted among 384 rural microfinance creditors in a convenience sample who self-administered and completed survey questionnaires. The study showed that microfinance operations had contributed significantly to improving rural creditors' economic and financial conditions and improving living standards and savings for most of them.

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