Quiz : How Well Do You Know About Global Poverty And Microfinance

1. What pioneer(s) of modern day microcredit received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006?

Bill and Melinda Gates

Ross Clemenger

Muhammed Yunus

Natalie Portman

Muhammed Yunus shared the award with Grameen Bank, the microcredit organization he founded in 1976.

Bill and Melinda Gates (and the Gates Foundation) enthusiastically back the work of Opportunity.

Ross Clemenger is a Canadian missionary who gave out one of the first microloans of the modern era in 1971, for an organization that would become Opportunity International.

Natalie Portman is an outspoken advocate for microcredit.

Explanation

Muhammed Yunus shared the award with Grameen Bank, the microcredit organization he founded in 1976.

Bill and Melinda Gates (and the Gates Foundation) enthusiastically back the work of Opportunity.

Ross Clemenger is a Canadian missionary who gave out one of the first microloans of the modern era in 1971, for an organization that would become Opportunity International.

Natalie Portman is an outspoken advocate for microcredit.

2. If the world were a village of 100 people, how many would have a bank account?

94

78

42

30

Only 30% of the world's population have bank accounts.

Explanation

Only 30% of the world's population have bank accounts.

3. If the world were a village of 100 people, how many would live without access to clean water?

1

18

43

31

18 would live without clean water, 43 without basic sanitation like toilets.

Explanation

18 would live without clean water, 43 without basic sanitation like toilets.

4. Currently, it is estimated that all microfinance providers combined reach what percentage of the 600 million people worldwide who could benefit from microfinance?

1-3%

7-10%

10-20%

45-50%

Worldwide, microfinance reaches only 10-20% of people who could benefit from it. That means there are still 480-540 million people who might be helped! Opportunity International currently reaches 1.4 million clients.

Explanation

Worldwide, microfinance reaches only 10-20% of people who could benefit from it. That means there are still 480-540 million people who might be helped! Opportunity International currently reaches 1.4 million clients.

5. If the world were a village of 100 people, how many would be hungry or malnourished?

13

2

19

10

13% of the world's population is hungry or malnourished

Explanation

13% of the world's population is hungry or malnourished

6. If the world were a village of 100 people, how many would live on less than $2 per day?

19

68

53

24

Just over half the world's population survives on less than $2 per day.

Explanation

Just over half the world's population survives on less than $2 per day.

7. What year was declared the "International Year of Microcredit" by the United Nations (UN)?

1999

1971

2010

2005

The UN gave this designation to the year 2005, hoping to draw attention to the potential of microfinance to promote socioeconomic development.

Explanation

The UN gave this designation to the year 2005, hoping to draw attention to the potential of microfinance to promote socioeconomic development.

8. What is the average size of an Opportunity International Trust Group?

10-30

75-100

One family unit

As many as want to join

Each Trust Group meets weekly and usually consists of between 10 and 30 people, but their families and communities are impacted as well. There are very few limitations on who can join a Trust Group as it comes together.

Explanation

Each Trust Group meets weekly and usually consists of between 10 and 30 people, but their families and communities are impacted as well. There are very few limitations on who can join a Trust Group as it comes together.

9. How many countries does Opportunity International currently work in, including both supporting and implementing partners?

24

45

13

29

5 countries serve as supporting partners, while the microfinance work we do happens in 24 countries, for a total of 29 countries.

Explanation

5 countries serve as supporting partners, while the microfinance work we do happens in 24 countries, for a total of 29 countries.

10. If the world were a village of 100 people, how many would have a high school education or its equivalent?

51

34

22

7

Only 7 in 100 people around the world have a high school education or its equivalent.

Explanation

Only 7 in 100 people around the world have a high school education or its equivalent.