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Population Data Access and Tools
NASA has population datasets that help researchers characterize people, places, and the lives they live there. Access a range of data and data tools such as SEDAC's Population Estimation Service to make the most of population data.
Population Datasets
| Dataset Sort descending | Version | Platform | Instrument | Temporal Extent | Spatial Extent | Spatial Resolution | Data Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISLSCP II Global Gridded Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 1990 | 1 | Terra | MODIS | 1990-01-01 to 1990-12-31 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
Shapefile | |
| ISLSCP II Global Population of the World | 1 | Terra | MODIS | 1990-01-01 to 1995-12-31 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
Shapefile | |
| Latin America and the Caribbean Population Time Series | 1.0 | MODELS | Computer | 1990-01-01, 2000-01-01 |
N: 54.180542 S: -70.224737 E: 25.441213 W: -167.470568 |
Shapefile, Excel | |
| Low Elevation Coastal Zone (LECZ) Global Delta Urban-Rural Population and Land Area Estimates, Version 1 | 1.00 | MODELS | Computer | 1995-01-01, 2000-01-01, 2014-01-01, 2015-01-01 |
N: 85 S: -58 E: 180 W: -180 |
Excel, PDF, PNG | |
| Low Elevation Coastal Zone (LECZ) Urban-Rural Population and Land Area Estimates, Version 2 | 2.0 | MODELS | Computer | 1990-01-01, 2000-01-01, 2010-01-01, 2100-01-01 |
N: 85 S: -58 E: 180 W: -180 |
CSV, Excel, PDF, PNG, WMS | |
| Low Elevation Coastal Zone (LECZ) Urban-Rural Population and Land Area Estimates, Version 3 | 3.00 | MODELS | Computer | 1990-01-01, 2000-01-01, 2015-01-01 |
N: 85 S: -58 E: 180 W: -180 |
0.00083 Decimal Degrees x 0.00083 Decimal Degrees | Excel, GeoTIFF, PDF, PNG |
| Low Elevation Coastal Zone (LECZ) Urban-Rural Population Estimates, Global Rural-Urban Mapping Project (GRUMP), Alpha Version | 1.0 | MODELS | Computer | 1990-01-01, 1995-01-01, 2000-01-01 |
N: 85 S: -58 E: 180 W: -180 |
Excel, PDF, PNG | |
| Millennium Ecosystem Assessment: MA Population | 1.0 | MODELS | Computer | 1990-01-01 to 2002-12-31 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
Grid | |
| NACP MCI: CO2 Emissions Inventory, Upper Midwest Region, USA., 2007 | 1 | NOT APPLICABLE | NOT APPLICABLE | 2007-01-01 to 2007-12-31 |
N: 50 S: 36 E: -81 W: -105 |
multiple | |
| National Aggregates of Geospatial Data Collection: Population, Landscape, And Climate Estimates (PLACE) | 1.0 | MODELS | Computer | 1995-07-01 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
Excel | |
| National Aggregates of Geospatial Data Collection: Population, Landscape, And Climate Estimates, Version 2 (PLACE II) | 2.0 | MODELS | Computer | 1990-01-01, 2000-12-31 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
PDF, PNG | |
| National Aggregates of Geospatial Data Collection: Population, Landscape, And Climate Estimates, Version 3 (PLACE III) | 3.0 | MODELS | Computer | 1990-01-01, 2000-01-01, 2010-12-31 |
N: 85 S: -58 E: 180 W: -180 |
CSV, Excel, PDF, PNG, WMS | |
| National Aggregates of Geospatial Data Collection: Population, Landscape, And Climate Estimates, Version 4 (PLACE IV) | 4.00 | MODELS | Computer | 2000-01-01, 2005-01-01, 2010-01-01, 2015-01-01, 2020-01-01 |
N: 85 S: -58 E: 180 W: -180 |
Geodatabase, PDF, PNG, CSV | |
| Population Exposure Estimates in Proximity to Nuclear Power Plants, Country-Level Aggregates | 1.0 | MODELS | Computer | 1990-01-01, 2000-01-01, 2010-01-01 |
N: 83.63 S: -55.77 E: 180 W: -180 |
Excel | |
| Population Exposure Estimates in Proximity to Nuclear Power Plants, Locations | 1.0 | MODELS | Computer | 1956-01-01 to 2012-12-31 |
N: 68.05 S: -34 E: 166.45 W: -124.21 |
CSV, Shapefile, WMS | |
| Poverty Mapping Project: Global Subnational Infant Mortality Rates | 1.0 | MODELS | Computer | 2000-01-01 to 2000-12-31 |
N: 85 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
ASCII Grid, Excel, Shapefile, PDF, PNG, WMS | |
| Public Use Microdata Samples (PUMS) | 1.00 | MODELS | Computer | 1940-01-01 to 1990-12-31 |
N: 73 S: 18 E: -66 W: -180 |
BNA | |
| SDG Indicator 11.2.1: Urban Access to Public Transport, 2023 Release | 2023.00 | MODELS | Computer | 2015-01-01 to 2022-12-31 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
Shapefile, Geodatabase, CSV, PDF, PNG | |
| SDG Indicator 11.7.1: Urban Public Space, Availability and Access, 2023 Release | 2023.00 | MODELS | Computer | 2015-01-01 to 2022-12-31 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
Shapefile, Geodatabase, CSV, PDF, PNG | |
| SDG Indicator 7.1.1: Access to Electricity, 2023 Release | 2023.00 | MODELS | Computer | 2020-01-01 to 2022-12-31 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
Shapefile, Geodatabase, CSV, PDF, PNG | |
| SDG Indicator 9.1.1: Rural Access Index (RAI), 2023 Release | 2023.00 | MODELS | Computer | 2015-01-01 to 2022-12-31 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
Shapefile, Geodatabase, CSV, PDF, PNG | |
| Sea Level Rise Impacts on Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance | 1.0 | MODELS | Computer | 2000-01-01 to 2010-12-31 |
N: 85 S: -58 E: 180 W: -180 |
Excel, WMS | |
| Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) Literature Database, v1, 2014-2019 | 1.00 | MODELS | Computer | 2014-01-01 to 2019-12-31 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
Excel | |
| Spatial Data from the 2011 India Census | 1.0 | MODELS | Computer | 2011-01-01 to 2011-12-31 |
N: 37.073831 S: 8.083816 E: 89.150397 W: 68.106253 |
Grid, GeoTIFF, Shapefile, PDF, PNG, WMS | |
| Sub-global Scenarios that Extend the Global SSP Narratives: Literature Database, Version 1, 2014-2021 | 1.00 | MODELS | Computer | 2014-01-01 to 2021-12-31 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
Excel |
Featured Population Observation Method: VIIRS
The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) is aboard the joint NASA/NOAA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) and NOAA-platforms. VIIRS collects visible and infrared imagery along with global observations of Earth's land, atmosphere, cryosphere, and ocean. The instrument can detect light from human settlements to measure the size and growth of those areas as well as changes to the regions as a result of power loss from storms, conflicts, and other events.
The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) will help ensure continuity of Earth observations after the upcoming retirement of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS).
Nighttime imagery shows the earth’s surface and atmosphere using a sensor designed to capture low-light emission sources under varying illumination conditions.
Looking to learn more about Suomi NPP VIIRS global land data products available from NASA? Join us for an overview of the data products and live demos on how to access and work with the data using a variety of tools from the Land Processes DAAC.
Image captured on 29 December 2019, by the VIIRS instrument, aboard the joint NASA/NOAA Suomi NPP satellite.
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