Share of each country’s news about armed violence, last 12 months
United StatesChina
United States vs China: which is more tense right now?
This week, 5.4% of the news located in United States is about armed violence (#36 of 74), against 3.9% in China (#58). United States is the more tense of the two right now.
United States5.4%#36 · far below its usual level
China3.9%#58 · below its usual level
United States tenser than China96%of weeks since 2017
Both most tense14 August 2022week with the highest combined reading
Weekly average since 2017
United StatesChina
Year by yearshare of each country’s news about armed violence
| Year | United States, average | China, average | More tense |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6.9% | 4.6% | United States |
| 2025 | 6.4% | 4.5% | United States |
| 2024 | 6.4% | 4.7% | United States |
| 2023 | 6.4% | 4.2% | United States |
| 2022 | 6.5% | 5.1% | United States |
| 2021 | 6.4% | 4.9% | United States |
| 2020 | 5.7% | 4.9% | United States |
| 2019 | 6.2% | 4.1% | United States |
| 2018 | 6.5% | 4.2% | United States |
| 2017 | 6.4% | 4.6% | United States |
Frequently asked questions
Is United States or China more tense right now?
United States is the more tense this week: 5.4% of its news is about armed violence, against 3.9% for China.
Which has been more tense since 2017, United States or China?
United States was the more tense of the two in 96% of weeks since 2017, China in the other 4%.
When were United States and China most tense together?
In the week to 14 August 2022: 7.3% for United States and 8.7% for China.
How is this measured?
For each country, Riftrate measures the share of the news located there that is about armed violence (war and terrorism, excluding ordinary crime), over 7 days, from the GDELT event database. It does not depend on the size of the country. It measures the news, not casualties.