Global Human Settlement Layer (GHSL)
Quick answer: GHSL is the European Commission's global human settlement dataset providing built-up area and population grids at 30m–1km with multi-decadal epochs from 1975 to 2030.
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Format
GeoTIFF / Raster
Geometry
Raster (built-up and population)
Coverage
Global
Resolution
10m / 100m / 1km products
About this dataset
European Commission's global built-up and population grids at 30m–1km, with five-yearly epochs from 1975 to 2030.
The Global Human Settlement Layer (GHSL) from the European Commission's Joint Research Centre provides global spatial information on human presence, built-up areas, and population distribution at multiple resolutions (10m, 100m, 1km). Release R2023A covers epochs from 1975 to 2030 in five-year steps, alongside products such as the Settlement Model (GHS-SMOD) and the Urban Centre Database (UCDB R2024A). Data is free to reuse with acknowledgement of the European Union.
How to download
- 1 Open the GHSL download portal and pick a product such as GHS-POP or GHS-SMOD.
- 2 Choose epoch (1975–2030 in five-year steps), resolution (100 m or 1 km for population) and projection (Mollweide or WGS84).
- 3 Download global tiles or a single-file product for the epoch you need.
- 4 Combine with GHS-SMOD to separate urban centres from rural grid cells, or join the UCDB for city-level statistics.
FAQ
What makes GHSL unique?
GHSL provides multi-decadal epochs (1975–2030) in a consistent framework, built-up area AND population grids, and multiple resolutions — ideal for long-term urbanization trend analysis.
Which resolutions are available?
Built-up layers reach 10 m; population grids come at 100 m and 1 km. Pick 1 km for global modelling and 100 m for regional work.
Can I use GHSL commercially?
Yes. The data is produced by the European Union and reuse is authorised with acknowledgement — cite the GHSL Data Package and the European Commission.