Microfinance and financial inclusion as catalysts for multidimensional poverty reduction: A bibliometric analysis

Abstract

The objective of this bibliometric literature review was to analyze the trends and findings of various recent research studies examining the role of microfinance and financial inclusion in reducing multidimensional poverty. We processed 52 documents extracted from the Scopus database (2020-2025). The results indicate that our subject has garnered significant attention in recent years, as microfinance, financial inclusion, and financial literacy have been identified as key determinants of poverty reduction, particularly through entrepreneurship and strengthening household resilience. Therefore, policymakers should consider these factors when developing their strategies, placing greater emphasis on rural populations, women, and low-income households. However, other factors, such as institutional stability, financial digitalization, and country-specific characteristics, also appear to have significant impacts. Future research could continue to explore and conduct practical investigations on this topic to provide quantified results on this issue.