Artificial Neural Network and Machine Learning Based Methods for Population Estimation of Rohingya Refugees: Comparing Data-Driven and Satellite Image-Driven Approaches

Manual field-based population census data collection method is slow and expensive, especially for refugee management situations where more frequent censuses are necessary. This study aims to explore the approaches of population estimation of Rohingya migrants using remote sensing and machine learning. Two different approaches of population estimation viz., (i) data-driven approach and (ii) satellite image-driven approach have been explored. A total of 11 machine learning models including Artificial Neural Network (ANN) are applied for both approaches. It is found that, in situations where the surface population distribution is unknown, a smaller satellite image grid cell length is required. For data-driven approach, ANN model is placed fourth, Linear Regression model performed the worst and Gradient Boosting model performed the best. For satellite image-driven approach, ANN model performed the best while Ada Boost model has the worst performance. Gradient Boosting model can be considered as a suitable model to be applied for both the approaches.