Global Nighttime Lights Increased 34% from 2014 to 2022, Study Finds
A study published in Nature in April 2026, based on an analysis of NASA's Black Marble nighttime lights data, found that global artificial nighttime radiance increased by 34 percent between 2014 and 2022. The analysis revealed bidirectional changes, with some regions brightening and others dimming simultaneously.
Data and Methodology
Researchers analyzed low-light imagery from NASA's Black Marble program. The data was collected by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instruments on three satellites: the Suomi-NPP, NOAA-20, and NOAA-21. The analysis covered most inhabited regions between 60°S and 70°N latitude. The Black Marble product processes daily observations to isolate human-generated nighttime illumination.
While total radiance increased by 34 percent over the nine-year period, dimming in other areas offset this increase by 18 percent.
Regional Changes
United States: West Coast cities experienced brightening, which researchers attributed to population growth. Much of the East Coast experienced dimming, attributed by the researchers to increased use of energy-efficient LED lighting and economic restructuring.
Europe: Dimming was observed in several countries. Researchers linked dimming in Paris and throughout France (33 percent reduction), the United Kingdom (22 percent reduction), and the Netherlands (21 percent reduction) to the adoption of LEDs and energy conservation measures. European nights dimmed sharply in 2022 during a regional energy crisis following the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Asia: Nighttime light increased significantly in China and northern India, attributed by researchers to urban expansion and development.
Other Regions:
- Brightening was observed in parts of sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, attributed by researchers to electrification and infrastructure expansion.
- Dimming was observed in conflict zones including Ukraine, Lebanon, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Venezuela, attributed by researchers to war, infrastructure damage, or economic collapse.
Implications
The global analysis indicates that artificial light at night is not expanding uniformly but is characterized by the coexistence of brightening and dimming.
Nighttime light data is used by researchers to track urban growth, disaster recovery, power outages, industrial activity, and migration patterns. Artificial light at night has been linked to ecological and health impacts, including disrupted wildlife behavior and human circadian rhythms.