The Rise of Microfinance
Microfinance was once hailed as a miracle cure for global poverty, promising to empower the world's most vulnerable with small business loans.
1The Journal
How Microfinance Failed the World's Poor
Microfinance was once hailed as a miracle cure for global poverty, but in countries like Cambodia, it has devolved into a cycle of predatory debt.
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How Microfinance Failed the World's Poor
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“What specific policies contributed to the predatory nature of microfinance in Cambodia?”
“How does the current state of microfinance compare to its initial implementation?”
“What alternatives to microfinance are being explored to empower the world's poor?”
Questions
Questions to carry into the episode.
What was the original promise of microfinance?
It was hailed as a miracle cure for global poverty, promising to empower the world's most vulnerable with small business loans.
1How has microfinance impacted families in Cambodia?
The industry has devolved into a cycle of predatory debt that is leaving families struggling.
2Who explains the failure of microfinance in this episode?
WSJ’s Gabriele Steinhauser explains why this once-celebrated solution has failed so many.
3Experts
Voices named in the source.
Gabriele Steinhauser
WSJ Journalist
3Sources and disclosure
Where this guide comes from.
This guide is based on the episode 'How Microfinance Failed the World's Poor' from The Journal, published on 2026-07-14.
- Publisher show notes
Microfinance was once hailed as a miracle cure for global poverty, promising to empower the world's most vulnerable with small business loans.
- Publisher show notes
But in countries like Cambodia, the industry has devolved into a cycle of predatory debt that is leaving families struggling.
- Publisher show notes
WSJ’s Gabriele Steinhauser explains why this once-celebrated solution has failed so many.
- Publisher show notes
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- Publisher show notes
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