DATASETS
High Resolution Population Density Maps
Accurate population density data is critical for delivery of social services. Meta has built the world’s most accurate population maps using satellite imagery and census data.
Download on HDX
View mWater's Population Density Visualization
Key Features
High resolution
Working with the Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), we use artificial intelligence to identify buildings from satellite imagery and estimate population at a 30 meter resolution.Demographic breakdowns
In addition to total population density, we release estimates for women, men, youth, children, women of reproductive age, and the elderly at a 30 meter resolution.Publicly available
These maps are publicly available for 160+ countries and territories around the world, and can be downloaded from Humanitarian Data Exchange or Amazon Web Services.
Methodology
Step 1: Model population growth with CIESIN
CIESEN records every census and uses that information to model population growth by country and at subnational levels.Step 2: Calculate connectedness
With over three billion people using Meta services, this index provides the first comprehensive measure of social networks at an international level.Step 3: Drop small counts and add noise
SCI publishes a nmber to show the probability of friendship between two areas, but no information on individual friendships. We use sampling, normalization, and differential privacy to protect privacy.Step 4: Final sampling
SCI publishes a nmber to show the probability of friendship between two areas, but no information on individual friendships. We use sampling, normalization, and differential privacy to protect privacy.RESOURCES
Using High Resolution Population Density
These maps can be downloaded from the Humanitarian Data Exchange (HDX) or Amazon Web Services (AWS). Data hosted on HDX is ideal for desktop use in GIS software via downloadable single-country zip files. Data hosted in AWS Public Datasets is optimized for large-scale programmatic usage via Amazon S3 and Athena.
Download from the Humanitarian Data Exchange
Access Training Data & Code from GitHub