WorldPop News

Graphic image showing comparison of population count estimates modelled from new covariates (year 2024) and population count estimates modelled from earlier covariates (year 2020) for Luanda (Angola).

New Open Access Geospatial Datasets to Enhance Global Population Mapping

WorldPop News /

A groundbreaking collection of 73 global, high-resolution, multi-temporal geospatial datasets has been released, poised to significantly enhance the accuracy and detail of human population distribution modelling worldwide. Led by WorldPop Enterprise Fellow Dorothea Woods at the University of Southampton, in collaboration with the Università degli Studi di Milano Scienze della Terra and funded by the […]

New Open Access Geospatial Datasets to Enhance Global Population Mapping Read More »

New Method Revolutionises Population Mapping for Better Planning

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A significant development in population data mapping led by WorldPop Research Fellow Dr Wenbin Zhang promises to improve everything from disaster response to urban planning by offering clearer, more accurate figures. Governments and aid organizations around the world rely on gridded population datasets to make crucial decisions – like where to build hospitals, send vaccines,

New Method Revolutionises Population Mapping for Better Planning Read More »

Screen capture of Greenpeace "Every Breath You Take" interactive map portal

Greenpeace Uses WorldPop Data to Map Global Petrochemical Pollution Risks

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New population data from WorldPop has played a crucial role in a groundbreaking Greenpeace International study analysing the human impact of petrochemical pollution. The Beta release of WorldPop’s global population datasets, covering 2015 to 2030, enabled researchers to estimate how many and where people are at risk of exposure to emissions from petrochemical facilities worldwide.

Greenpeace Uses WorldPop Data to Map Global Petrochemical Pollution Risks Read More »

Photo of Dr Edson Utazi standing next to a Spatial Statistic 2025 conference poster

Population Data and Vaccine Mapping in Focus at Key Global Conferences

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Dakar, Senegal / Noordwijk, Netherlands – July 2025WorldPop researchers presented their work at two major international gatherings this month – placing the spotlight on the power of data to drive progress across health and development in West and Central Africa. Dr Chris Nnanatu presenting at the HISWACA conference, 15 July 2025. In early July regional

Population Data and Vaccine Mapping in Focus at Key Global Conferences Read More »

Photo of Professor Andy Tatem presenting WorldPop's work at the Indian High Commission in London. 10 July 2025.

Mapping Populations for India’s Development

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WorldPop director, Professor Andy Tatem recently spoke at the Indian High Commission in London at an India-UK Education Collaboration event. Presenting WorldPop’s impactful work in India, he highlighted the challenges of nations large, densely packed, and diverse population, and explained why detailed, current small-area population data are crucial for election planning, GDP calculation, disaster preparedness,

Mapping Populations for India’s Development Read More »

World map showing distribution of surevy responders.

WorldPop Beta Data Users Give High Marks in New Global Survey

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In a new global survey, users of WorldPop’s 2015-2030 Demographic Data Beta version are overwhelmingly giving the data and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affair’s (OCHA) Humanitarian Data Exchange (HDX) platform high marks for satisfaction, accessibility, and quality. The survey, conducted by the HDX reveals that users of new WorldPop data

WorldPop Beta Data Users Give High Marks in New Global Survey Read More »

Photo of a a survey team undertake field testing of Enumeration Area mapping in Abomey Calavi, Benin

Disappearing People: The Future of Public Policy Depends on Co-Development in Demographic Data 

WorldPop News /

In an article published today in Science1, world-leading geospatial data experts at WorldPop (University of Southampton, UK) and the Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN, Columbia University, USA) declare a global crisis in demographic data collection is quietly undermining public policy, service delivery, and equitable governance. At the heart of this predicament lies

Disappearing People: The Future of Public Policy Depends on Co-Development in Demographic Data  Read More »

Regional map of West and Central Africa showing results from the Reach the Unreached project

Despite Progress Nearly 1 Million Children in West Africa Still Miss Out on Life-Saving Vaccines 

WorldPop News /

By Attila N Lazar and Tim O’Riordan While global immunisation efforts have seen significant progress, our new high-resolution, digital population and vaccination coverage maps produced for the UNICEF-funded Reach the Unreached project indicate that nearly one million children in five West and Central African countries remain unreached by vaccination services. Despite increased access in many

Despite Progress Nearly 1 Million Children in West Africa Still Miss Out on Life-Saving Vaccines  Read More »

Screen capture form Google Earth of Nairobi, Kenya

The We Society: Population, Data & Destiny

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In a fascinating conversation with journalist and Academy of Social Sciences President Will Hutton, Professor Andy Tatem explains how satellite imagery and mobile phone data are transforming population mapping across the Global South. Used by governments for critical resource allocation, these data is reshaping how policies are made. Professor Tatem shares real-world examples from Papua

The We Society: Population, Data & Destiny Read More »

About Us

The WorldPop research programme, based in the School of Geography and Environmental Sciences at the University of Southampton, is a multi-sectoral team of researchers, technicians and project specialists that produces data on population distributions and characteristics at high spatial resolution.

Initiated in October 2013 to combine The AfriPop Project, AsiaPop and AmeriPop projects, we have a diverse portfolio of projects, including large multi-million-pound collaborative projects with partner organisations, commercial data providers and international development organisations.

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  • University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
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