Rural Household Finance (Excerpt)

Publication Article File: 

chapter_6_excerpt.pdf

Using the Thai financial accounts, this monograph features household summaries of the financial strategies households and provides a unique look at how households borrow, lend, and save, and which strategies and tools are most effective. Building on the methodology of Townsend & Samphantharak (2009), this monograph provides new insights on household finance for the poor and larger issues of economic development. 

In this excerpt, the authors discuss alternative methods of measurement for household finance in both developed and developing countries. The data collection initiatives feature apply a number of different approaches and frameworks, seeking different information but facing common constraints such as time and money. Comparing, contrasting, and evaluating these different frameworks of data collection and research provides a helpful lesson for those interested in launching or improving their own initiatives in the field.