
population estimate
A population estimate is an informed guess of how many people live in a specific area at a given time. Since counting everyone all at once can be difficult and costly, experts use various methods—like surveys, census data, and statistical models—to approximate the total number. These estimates help governments, businesses, and organizations plan for resources, services, and policies. While not perfectly exact, they provide a reliable snapshot of population size between official counts, ensuring decision-makers can respond effectively to changing demographics.