Fine-grained spatial data are critical for informed decision-making in domains ranging from economic planning to environmental management. However, many statistics are only available for coarse administrative units, necessitating techniques for fine-scale spatial disaggregation. In this paper, we introduce a graph neural network (GNN) based framework for disaggregating aggregated indicators to a finer spatial resolution. The GNN approach leverages graph representations of spatial units to incorporate both feature information and spatial relationships, addressing challenges of heterogeneity and data sparsity. The approach also adopts the H3 hierarchical hexagonal indexing system to define fine-resolution cells, providing a globally consistent, multi-resolution spatial grid well suited to graph-based modeling. We demonstrate the framework using gross domestic product (GDP) as a representative example, disaggregating national or regional GDP to fine-resolution cells. While illustrated with GDP, the proposed methodology is applicable to a broad class of aggregate indicators, offering a flexible and scalable tool for spatial analysis of economic, social, and environmental statistics. Our results show that the framework produces high-resolution estimates that are consistent with known aggregates and aligned with ancillary covariate patterns. This general-purpose approach to spatial disaggregation enables more detailed mapping of indicators like GDP and beyond, unlocking finer insights from coarse data.
| Repository name | Type | URI |
|---|---|---|
| Reproducible Research Repository (World Bank) | https://reproducibility.worldbank.org | |
| GitHub | Available to World Bank Staff | https://github.com/worldbank/gnn-gdp-disaggregation/releases/tag/v1.01 |
Paper exhibits were reproduced on a computer with the following specifications:
• OS: macOS
• Processor: Apple M4 Pro
• Memory available: 24 GB
Runtime: 10 minutes
To reproduce the findings of this paper, a new user should:
requirements.txt.09_model_validation folder.11_visualization folder.Note: All data needed to run the package and reproduce the findings in the manuscript are included in the reproducibility package. The starting point is intermediate data, which is already included. The associated repository (https://github.com/worldbank/gnn-gdp-disaggregation/releases/tag/v1.01 only available to World Bank Staff) contains the code to go from raw data to the intermediate data used as the starting point. This portion of the workflow is currently accessible to World Bank staff only. All raw data sources are documented in the Data Section of this entry.
All data is publicly available, but not all is directly included in the reproducibility package. All intermediate data needed to run the package is included in the reproducibility package.
| Author | Affiliation | |
|---|---|---|
| Kamwoo Lee | World Bank | klee16@worldbank.org |
| Brian Blankespoor | World Bank | bblankespoor@worldbank.org |
| David Newhouse | World Bank | dnewhouse@worldbank.org |
2026-04-08
| Location | Code |
|---|---|
| World | WLD |
The materials in the reproducibility packages are distributed as they were prepared by the staff of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this event do not necessarily reflect the views of the World Bank, the Executive Directors of the World Bank, or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the materials included in the reproducibility package.
| Name | URI |
|---|---|
| Modified BSD3 | https://opensource.org/license/bsd-3-clause/ |
| Name | Affiliation | |
|---|---|---|
| Kamwoo Lee | World Bank | klee16@worldbank.org |
| Reproducibility WBG | World Bank | reproducibility@worldbank.org |
| Name | Abbreviation | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reproducibility WBG | DECDI | World Bank - Development Impact Department | Verification and preparation of metadata |
2026-04-08
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