Before revision:  A predictive machine learning approach can capture up to 40 \% of data variance, compared to existing approaches which only explain up to 20\% of the data variance .
After revision:  A predictive machine learning approach consistently outperforms baseline models which use population density or nightlight luminosity, with an improvement in data variance prediction of at least 40 \% of data variance, compared to existing approaches which only explain up to 20\% of the data variance .