Global microscope on the microfinance business environment 2012

7
performance, outreach, deposits and effi ciency of
the sector, along with some overall penetration
measures.
Although it is impossible to capture every
dimension of a country’s microfi nance
environment, the index provides a means of
distinguishing those countries with support for a
greater availability of fi nancing options for the
poor, from those with considerable work to do. The
index also fi lls an important data gap by
quantifying the state of the regulatory and
operating environment of microfi nance. Lastly, the
index is intended to spur dialogue about sound
policy and practice that will encourage positive
reform in the microfi nance sector.
© The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2012
<strong>Global</strong> <strong>microscope</strong> on the microfi nance business environment 2012
Each year, we seek to build upon the research
process used to construct the index. The 2012 study
used the same set of indicators and methodology as
the 2011 study, and we also increased our
consultations with microfi nance institutions,
networks, regulators, consultants, and investors.
We again held interviews with a diverse group of
stakeholders in order to include recent
developments and policy changes in each country.
As in previous years, we conducted an online survey
to incorporate the views of an expanded community
of microfi nance specialists. Lastly, we reached out
to a broad range of individual microfi nance
networks to gain additional in-country expertise
and receive feedback on the study.