Satellite-derived nighttime light (NTL) is a promising data source for the detection and monitoring of armed conflict, as it can capture changes in human activities that may not be detectable by other satellite data. In this article, we assess a key requirement for using NTL data for conflict monitoring by examining how well baseline NTL – minimal light emissions from an area – covers populations globally. Combining NTL, population, settlement, and violence data, we find that nearly a quarter of the global population, and almost a third of those affected by violence, live in areas without detectable NTL.

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