Trajetória de crescimento para microempreendedores: diferencial de gênero dos clientes do programa crediamigo

Microcredit programs have been expanding in many countries as an alternative to productive insertion of low-income microentrepreneurs. In most cases, programs have a bias in the allocation of loans for women, assuming a greater commitment to these payments, from your best position in the family and society. The objective of this work is to verify whether there is a path of growth for this type of client, and if it is differentiated by gender. In this way, it estimates growth equations for microenterprises of the Crediamigo Program for the period of 2005 to 2009. The equations are estimated by linear mixed effect models, as proposed by Rabe-Hesketh and Skrondal (2012). The results show that there is a growth path, but with diminishing returns. Additionally, average return rates are higher for men; but women have lower risk in their trajectories.