To calculate the estimates of human populations at risk of malaria that are currently displayed on this website, we have used the Global Rural Urban Mapping Project (GRUMP) beta version of gridded population counts and population density estimates at 1×1 km spatial resolution for the years 1990, 1995 and 2000, both adjusted and unadjusted to the United Nations’ national population estimates. The adjusted population counts for the year 2000 were projected to 2010 by applying the relevant urban and rural national growth rates by country. The urban growth rates were applied to populations residing within the GRUMP-defined urban extents, and the rural rates were applied elsewhere. National 2010 totals were then adjusted to match those estimated by the United Nations. These population counts were then stratified nationally by age group using United Nations-defined population age structures for the year 2010, to obtain population count surfaces for the 0-5 years, 5-14 years and ≥15 years age groups.
We have adjusted the geographical boundaries used by GRUMP so they match the boundaries used in our malaria risk maps.
Going forward we are developing our own human population estimates for Africa (AfriPop) and Asia.