INTRODUCTION

Accurate and timely population data are critical to determining where people are located, what conditions they are facing, and their access to basic services and infrastructure to ensure that no one is left behind. Traditionally, population counts are derived from census data. However, infrequent intervals of data collection, inaccessibility to certain geographic locations, and other social constraints (e.g. language barriers between enumerators and indigenous communities) often leave many uncounted in the total population estimates. Over the past two decades, high-resolution satellite imagery, advanced Geospatial Information Systems (GIS), and remote sensing capabilities have created the opportunity to produce gridded population datasets (using different modeling approaches to disaggregate population data using spatial data and imagery) that can complement census data and fill in the gaps. For instance, gridded population data easily integrates with remote sensing data, it allows population data to be aggregated to non-administrative geographies, and for certain datasets, it allows users to compare units of the same shape and size. These benefits are proving invaluable for policymakers to measure population growth, monitor change, and plan effective interventions.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Established in 2018, the POPGRID Data Collaborative (POPGRID) aims to bring together and expand the international community of data providers, users, and sponsors concerned with georeferenced data on population, human settlements, and infrastructure. The Collaborative works to improve data access, timeliness, consistency, and utility; support data use and interpretation; identify and address pressing user needs; reduce duplication and user confusion; and encourage innovation and cross-disciplinary use. The Secretariat is led by TReNDS and the Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN). Support is generously provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

RESOURCES

Published Materials

Leaving No One off the Map: A Guide for Gridded Population Data for Sustainable Development 

Drawing from an extensive literature review and interviews with key data providers and users in the POPGRID Data Collaborative, this report presents an overview, analysis, and recommendations for the use of gridded population datasets in a wide range of application areas, such as in disaster response, health interventions, and survey planning. Specifically, the report compares seven gridded population datasets from POPGRID, including an analysis of the underlying data, methods and basic assumptions, and the corresponding strengths and limitations of each dataset in simple terms.

In-country workshops on Gridded Population Data

In November 2020, in collaboration with members from POPGRID, TReNDS hosted a series of workshops centered around the use of gridded population datasets for the SDGs for countries involved in the Data For Now initiative.

Presentations and Events

AGU Presentation During the Fall 2020 Meeting

Accounting For Everyone: Using Gridded Population Data For Sustainable Development
A webinar with the International Science Council

How Can We Leverage Population Data in a Time of Crisis?
A virtual debate with SciDev.net

Leaving No One off the Map: Gridded Population Data for Decision-Making
A webinar with Geospatial World Media

For additional resources and information on POPGRID, visit www.popgrid.org or email trends@unsdsn.org.