Meta High Resolution Settlement Layer (HRSL)
Quick answer: Meta HRSL is a 30m resolution global population grid combining satellite-based settlement detection with census data, ideal for high-detail population mapping.
Next step
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Format
GeoTIFF
Geometry
Raster (population grid)
Coverage
Global (selected countries)
Resolution
30m
About this dataset
Facebook/Meta's 30m resolution settlement layer derived from satellite imagery and census data for population mapping.
The High Resolution Settlement Layer (HRSL) from Meta provides population estimates at 30m resolution by combining census data with high-resolution satellite imagery and computer vision. It offers one of the finest-resolution global population grids available for non-commercial use.
How to download
- 1 Open the CIESIN HRSL data portal.
- 2 Select the country or region of interest.
- 3 Download the 30m GeoTIFF population grid.
- 4 Open in GIS software and inspect population distribution at settlement level.
FAQ
How does HRSL differ from WorldPop?
HRSL uses computer vision on satellite imagery to detect individual buildings before allocating population, achieving ~30m resolution. WorldPop uses dasymetric mapping at ~100m.
Is HRSL available for all countries?
HRSL coverage is progressively expanding. Many countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America are available. Check the CIESIN portal for current country coverage.