Understanding the Impacts of Savings Groups on Women’s Economic Activity: Synthesis of Recent Literature

This evidence review synthesizes rigorous evidence on the impacts of savings groups on women's financial inclusion and economic activity in developing economies. With approximately 500 million members globally—80 percent being women—savings groups have emerged as a promising pathway to financial inclusion, particularly for women facing systemic barriers to formal financial services. Drawing from experimental and quasi-experimental studies across multiple countries and contexts, the study examines how different savings group models influence five key outcome areas: savings behavior, credit access, economic activity, household decision-making, and non-economic wellbeing.