Nightlights as a Development Indicator: The Estimation of Gross Provincial Product (GPP) in Turkey

Abstract

For a while in Turkey, researchers dealing with spatial economics are unable to make detailed comparative and descriptive analysis on sub-national base due to lack of data. In particular, GDP, which is a basic indicator of economic activities, has not been published in Turkey at sub-national level since 2001. In this study, we use a different data source, night-time satellite imagery, to obtain sub-national GDP and GDP per capita series for the period between 2001 and 2013 at the level of provinces which is the basic administrative division of the Country. We also re-construct the series for the period between 1992 and 2001. For the estimation of sub-national GDP, we use Neural Network Algorithm.

Keywords: Nightlights, GDP, Gross Provincial Product, Neural Network, Spatial, Turkey

JEL Classification: C45, C87, O49, R11