They may also be less aware of the credit facilities available to them. In Lao People’s Democratic Republic, for example, 10 per cent of all female-headed agricultural households had outstanding loans during the reporting period (2002-2003), compared to 15 per cent of maleheaded households. Among those with loans, fewer female- than male-headed households borrowed from banks (13.5 per cent, compared with 22 per cent), while more borrowed from neighbours, the main source for both groups (74 per cent, vs. 52 per cent).