Informal Economy Measurement with Satellite Data: Night-Light and Activity Indicators

Олег Ивченко; Iryna Ivchenko

doi:10.5281/zenodo.21985900

August 17, 2026Open Access

Informal Economy Measurement with Satellite Data: Night-Light and Activity Indicators

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Key Points

To evaluate how satellite night-light observations and physical activity indicators can measure and monitor informal economic activity.
Assessed satellite-derived nighttime luminosity and daytime surface activity indicators as proxies for unrecorded economic production.
Modeled the spatial relationship between observable remote sensing features and informal market dynamics.
Nighttime light emissions and surface activity markers reliably capture spatial and temporal variations in informal economic output.
Satellite indicators detect localized economic transactions that are excluded from standard national accounting metrics.

Implication

Remote sensing analysis demonstrates satellite night-light and activity indicators measure informal economic output, suggesting a scalable approach for tracking unrecorded market activities.

Abstract

Research article: Informal Economy Measurement with Satellite Data: Night-Light and Activity Indicators

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Cite This Study

Ивченко et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a858aaf03308d306e2d805f https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21985900

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Informal Economy Measurement with Satellite Data: Night-Light and Activity Indicators

Key Points

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Informal Economy Measurement with Satellite Data: Night-Light and Activity Indicators

Key Points

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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