Shedding light on development: Leveraging the new nightlights data to measure economic progress

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0318482
• Publication Date: 2025-02-03T18:25:01Z
• Authors: Prachi Jhamb; Susana Ferreira; Patrick Stephens; Mekala Sundaram; Jonathan Wilson
• Keywords: Comparability; Proxy (statistics); Human Development Index

Nightlights (NTL) have been widely used as a proxy for economic activity, despite known limitations in accuracy and comparability, particularly with outdated Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) data. The emergence of newer more precise Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) data offers potential, yet challenges persist due to temporal spatial disparities between the two datasets. Addressing this, we employ novel harmonized NTL dataset (VIIRS + DMSP), which provides longest most consistent database available date. We evaluate association newly various indicators activity at subnational level across 34 countries sub-Saharan Africa from 2004 2019. Specifically, analyze new predicting socio-economic outcomes obtained sources: 1) nationally representative surveys, i.e., household Wealth Index published by Demographic Health Surveys, 2) derived administrative records such gridded Human Development Gross Domestic Product per capita. Our findings suggest that even after controlling population density, remain strong predictor wealth index. However, while urban areas show notable index, this relationship is less pronounced rural areas. Furthermore, observe can also significantly explain variations both GDP capita HDI levels.