RIFTRATE Get the gauge

World tension in October 2018

In October 2018, Riftrate averaged 37.7 (Easing), up 0.7 points from September 2018. It peaked at 58.2 on 23 October 2018 and was lowest at 22.6 on 14 October 2018.

Average37.7Easing
High58.223 October 2018
Low22.614 October 2018
Change vs September▲ +0.7average to average
Riftrate · October 2018
025507510016 Sep23 Sep30 Sep7 Oct14 Oct21 Oct28 Oct
The signals this monthmonthly average, 0 = calm, 100 = tense
SignalAveragevs Sep
Media tone22▼ −24.9
Geopolitical risk (GPR)40▲ +18.0
Diplomatic rupture37▼ −17.8
Domestic unrest42▲ +4.7
War & military28▲ +3.9
Economic coercion71▲ +3.9
Escalation momentum38▼ −3.6
Terrorism & mass violence58▲ +1.1

October 2018 in context

By its average, October 2018 was the 79th tensest of 104 months since March 2018. Riftrate spent 3 of its 31 days in Tension or Crisis and 19 in Easing or Complacency. The countries whose news was most about armed violence: Afghanistan (21.5%), Gaza and the West Bank (21.2%), Yemen (20.5%). Also this month: Brazil elects Jair Bolsonaro (28 October 2018).

Day by day
DayRiftrateZoneDay change
31 October 201853.3Neutral▲ +0.9
30 October 201852.4Neutral▼ −0.2
29 October 201852.6Neutral▲ +0.4
28 October 201852.2Neutral▲ +0.5
27 October 201851.7Neutral▼ −1.0
26 October 201852.7Neutral▼ −2.4
25 October 201855.0Neutral▼ −2.2
24 October 201857.3Tension▼ −1.0
23 October 201858.2Tension▲ +2.2
22 October 201856.0Tension▲ +2.2
21 October 201853.7Neutral▲ +3.0
20 October 201850.8Neutral▲ +6.5
19 October 201844.3Easing▲ +6.4
18 October 201837.9Easing▲ +5.5
17 October 201832.4Easing▲ +4.4
16 October 201827.9Easing▲ +3.2
15 October 201824.7Easing▲ +2.2
14 October 201822.6Complacency▼ −0.3
13 October 201822.9Complacency▼ −1.2
12 October 201824.0Complacency▼ −0.8
11 October 201824.9Easing0.0
10 October 201824.8Easing▲ +0.2
9 October 201824.6Easing▲ +0.4
8 October 201824.2Complacency▼ −0.8
7 October 201825.0Easing▲ +1.2
6 October 201823.8Complacency▼ −0.5
5 October 201824.3Complacency▼ −1.1
4 October 201825.4Easing▼ −1.6
3 October 201827.0Easing▼ −2.5
2 October 201829.6Easing▼ −3.8
1 October 201833.3Easing▼ −2.6
Previous: September 2018All of 2018Next: November 2018

Frequently asked questions

How tense was the world in October 2018?

Riftrate, the index of world tension from 0 (calm) to 100 (crisis), averaged 37.7 (Easing) in October 2018: the 79th tensest of 104 months since March 2018.

What was the tensest day of October 2018?

23 October 2018, when Riftrate read 58.2 (Tension).

Which countries were most tense in October 2018?

Afghanistan (21.5% of its news about armed violence), Gaza and the West Bank (21.2% of its news about armed violence), Yemen (20.5% of its news about armed violence).