On the Efficiency Effects of Subsidies in Microfinance: An Empirical Inquiry

Abstract

Using an original database of rating agencies, this paper gives empirical evidence on the impact of subsidy intensity on the efficiency of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs). We find that subsidies have had a positive impact on efficiency, in the sense that MFIs that received subsidies are more efficient than those that do not. However, we find also that subsidization beyond a certain threshold renders the marginal effect on efficiency negative. In our sample, 26% of MFIs receive levels of subsidization higher than that threshold, which implies that a marginal cut on subsidy intensity would increase their efficiency. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.