WorldPop

WorldPop is one of the most trusted sources for global population data.

It provides open and detailed spatial demographic datasets. These datasets help governments, researchers, and planners make better decisions. Especially when resources and services need to reach people.

Let’s look at how WorldPop works, what data it offers, and why it’s useful in GIS.

What Is WorldPop?

WorldPop is a research project based at the University of Southampton. Its goal is to provide high-resolution population data. The project combines satellite imagery, census data, and machine learning to estimate how people are distributed on the Earth’s surface.

You can access WorldPop data for free. The platform supports decision-making in fields like public health, urban planning, and disaster response.

Key Features of WorldPop Data

High Resolution

WorldPop provides population estimates at very fine resolutions. Often down to 100 meters per pixel.

This means you can analyze how many people live in small areas. Helpful in urban planning or health service coverage.

Global Coverage

Data is available for every country.

Some datasets are available at continental or global levels. Others offer country-specific detail, often in collaboration with national statistics offices.

Multiple Data Layers

WorldPop doesn’t just offer raw population numbers.

You can find:

• Age and sex breakdowns
• Urban vs rural splits
• Migration estimates
• Birth and pregnancy data
• Poverty indicators

This allows for richer, layered analysis.

Data Formats and Access

WorldPop data is mainly shared in raster format (.tif files). These are easy to use in most GIS software platforms like QGIS, ArcGIS, or browser-based tools like Atlas.

The data is downloadable via:

• The WorldPop website
• Humanitarian Data Exchange (HDX)
• APIs and map services (some countries)

This makes it simple to integrate WorldPop data into web maps and dashboards.

How WorldPop Builds Its Data

WorldPop uses a combination of data inputs:

1. Census data – Often the base reference point.
2. Satellite imagery – Helps identify buildings, land use, and infrastructure.
3. Administrative boundaries – Ensures correct alignment with official geographies.
4. Surveys – Such as Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS).
5. Machine learning – Models the distribution of people within administrative units.

For example, if a census says there are 10,000 people in a district, WorldPop uses satellite images and land-use data to predict where those people likely live within that district.

This is called “dasymetric mapping.” It’s more precise than just spreading people evenly across an area.

Use Cases in GIS

Health Planning

Ministries of Health use WorldPop to plan vaccine distribution.

Knowing where children under 5 live helps target polio or measles campaigns.

During COVID-19, WorldPop helped model where outbreaks might grow fast.

Humanitarian Aid

In disaster zones, responders need to know how many people might be affected.

WorldPop data helps estimate needs for food, water, or shelter.

Urban Growth

Urban planners can track city expansion and population density. This supports better land use, transportation, and housing policies.

Climate and Environment

Researchers use WorldPop to model human exposure to floods, droughts, or pollution. This can guide climate adaptation strategies.

Education and Services

Governments can use the data to find underserved areas—places where children might be far from schools or people lack access to clinics.

Why It Matters for GIS Users

WorldPop brings population data down to the map level. Most census data is too coarse. It’s often only available at the district or province level. But decisions about schools, hospitals, roads, and aid happen at a more local scale. WorldPop fills that gap. When combined with land cover, infrastructure, or environmental layers, it gives a clear picture of how people and places interact.

Limitations to Keep in Mind

WorldPop is modeled data, not direct counts. It relies on assumptions and inputs that vary in quality between countries. For example, if a country hasn’t done a recent census, the estimates may be off. Also, while resolution is high, it’s still generalized. You won’t find building-level counts. Still, it’s one of the best tools available for consistent global population data.

Best Practices for Using WorldPop in Atlas or Other GIS Tools

• Use it with context: Always pair WorldPop data with other layers like roads or admin boundaries.
• Be clear about the year: Check the vintage of the data. Population changes fast.
• Clip to your area: Don’t analyze unnecessary regions. Keep focus on your area of interest.
• Validate locally if you can: If you have better local data, use it to check WorldPop estimates.