Over 350 people from across the globe tuned in this week to our live webinar as we launched our most advanced population dataset yet – Global 2.
Held on 4 September and hosted by Deputy Director, Dr Jessica Espey, The Power of Population Data event showcased how forward-looking data science is transforming our understanding of where people live – and why it matters.
The new Global 2 dataset offers detailed population estimates from 2015 to 2030, mapped down to 100×100 meter grid squares. Built using satellite imagery, AI, and data from recent censuses, it helps pinpoint population changes with far greater precision, which is crucial for everything from health planning to disaster response.
“I know it’s never perfect, but this is a big step forward from what we had available previously”, said Professor Andy Tatem, WorldPop Director during his keynote address. “These advancements help address the issue of “leaving people behind” by providing insights at smaller scales, overcoming the limitations of working at aggregate levels where heterogeneities are often missed”, he added.
The event featured expert insights from Dr Sabrina Juran of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and Dr Mollie Van Gordon from the Gates Foundation, who praised the dataset’s role in supporting climate resilience, public health, and emergency planning – particularly in regions where census data is outdated or missing.
WorldPop’s Global 2 data are already being used to map coastal populations vulnerable to flooding, assess access to health services, and plan vaccine delivery for underserved communities.
While the technology is complex, the goal is simple: making sure no one is left out of the picture.
