Dynamics and Spatial Distribution of Global Nighttime Lights

TL;DR

This study analyzes global nighttime light patterns using open data, revealing shifts in economic activity, urbanization, and effects of policies across 160 countries, highlighting universal settlement patterns and regional changes.

Contribution

It introduces spatial light Gini coefficients to quantify human settlement patterns and documents global shifts in light distribution related to economic and demographic changes.

Findings

Planetary center of light moves eastward at 60 km/year.

Universal pattern of human settlements observed across countries.

Expansion of developing countries and success of light pollution programs.

Abstract

Using open source data, we observe the fascinating dynamics of nighttime light. Following a global economic regime shift, the planetary center of light can be seen moving eastwards at a pace of about 60 km per year. Introducing spatial light Gini coefficients, we find a universal pattern of human settlements across different countries and see a global centralization of light. Observing 160 different countries we document the expansion of developing countries, the growth of new agglomerations, the regression in countries suffering from demographic decline and the success of light pollution abatement programs in western countries.