ABSTRACT
Louis Garvin

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.