The Grameen Bank is a non-governmental organization in Bangladesh which has pioneered the practice of microcredit, in which small loans are given to the rural poor in order to build entrepreneurial activity and economic assets. The Grameen Bank has won international acclaim for its success in alleviating poverty in Bangladesh, which is one of the world's poorest countries. Poverty cannot be considered in isolation, however. Population growth and poverty are mutually reinforcing problems in Bangladesh. For example, population growth increases poverty by reducing the per capita availability of resources such as land and food and by magnifying the impact of natural disasters such as floods.
This research project describes this relationship between population
growth and poverty, and suggests that the Grameen Bank should look at the
two problems together instead of focusing only on poverty. The Grameen
Bank's programs already make a large contribution to reducing population
growth by improving economic conditions. Also, by focusing on women for
its microcredit programs, the Grameen Bank raises their economic and social
status, which are conditions that lead to having fewer children. The Grameen
Bank can do more, however. It should adapt its programs to specifically
address population growth by promoting family planning and education programs.
It should look for and address regional causes of population growth in
regions where population density is a critical issue. By expanding its
vision to include population issues, the Grameen Bank can better achieve
its end goal of poverty alleviation.