Mar 5, 2026

# Introducing WorldPop in Population Explorer: 100m Global Population Data

Population Explorer now includes WorldPop, a high-resolution global population dataset designed to model population distribution more precisely than traditional demographic grids.

We are incredibly pleased to release the WorldPop [Global 2](https://hub.worldpop.org/project/categories?id=3) Population Counts with age and sex structures.

The dataset provides **100-meter spatial resolution**, covering estimates from years 2015-2030, offering dramatically finer detail than traditional population grids. More importantly, WorldPop uses a [**settlement-constrained modeling approach**](https://www.worldpop.org/methods/top_down_constrained_vs_unconstrained/), which assigns population only to locations where human settlements exist.

Instead of spreading population evenly across land, population values are concentrated within areas that contain buildings and infrastructure. This produces a much more realistic representation of where people actually live.

This increased precision brings a level of confidence and accuracy to a number of fields including:

- [franchise territory planning](/content/solutions/franchise-territory-mapping/index.html)

- [retail site selection](/content/solutions/retail-site-selection/index.html)

- competitor coverage analysis

- market sizing

For example, when measuring population within a trade area or potential franchise territory, higher-resolution population data can reveal clusters of population that might otherwise be hidden inside large grid cells.

Population Explorer users can now select **WorldPop directly within the platform** when performing population analysis.

This allows users to measure population using either the traditional **LandScan dataset** or the new **WorldPop dataset**, depending on the level of spatial detail required.

WorldPop is now available to all [Pro](/content/knowledge-base/pro-account/index.html) and [Enterprise](/content/knowledge-base/enterprise-account/index.html) Population Explorer users.

Last updated

Mar 5, 2026