Riftrate · May 2019
World tension in May 2019
In May 2019, Riftrate averaged 45.1 (Neutral), up 12.1 points from April 2019. It peaked at 65.6 on 18 May 2019 and was lowest at 11.7 on 31 May 2019.
Average45.1Neutral
High65.618 May 2019
Low11.731 May 2019
Change vs April▲ +12.1average to average
The signals this monthmonthly average, 0 = calm, 100 = tense
| Signal | Average | vs Apr |
|---|---|---|
| Geopolitical risk (GPR) | 57 | ▲ +30.6 |
| Diplomatic rupture | 57 | ▲ +23.3 |
| War & military | 39 | ▲ +17.5 |
| Terrorism & mass violence | 25 | ▼ −10.1 |
| Economic coercion | 39 | ▼ −7.4 |
| Media tone | 43 | ▼ −5.8 |
| Domestic unrest | 50 | ▼ −5.2 |
| Escalation momentum | 53 | ▲ +1.6 |
May 2019 in context
By its average, May 2019 was the 58th tensest of 104 months since March 2018. Riftrate spent 8 of its 31 days in Tension or Crisis and 13 in Easing or Complacency. That is 7.2 points lower than in May 2018 (52.3). The countries whose news was most about armed violence: Syria (23.2%), Burkina Faso (22.0%), Yemen (20.4%). Also this month: Trump threatens higher tariffs on China (5 May 2019).
Day by day
| Day | Riftrate | Zone | Day change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 May 2019 | 11.7 | Complacency | ▼ −1.9 |
| 30 May 2019 | 13.6 | Complacency | ▼ −3.6 |
| 29 May 2019 | 17.2 | Complacency | ▼ −5.5 |
| 28 May 2019 | 22.7 | Complacency | ▼ −6.9 |
| 27 May 2019 | 29.6 | Easing | ▼ −7.2 |
| 26 May 2019 | 36.9 | Easing | ▼ −3.3 |
| 25 May 2019 | 40.2 | Easing | ▼ −4.1 |
| 24 May 2019 | 44.3 | Easing | ▼ −5.1 |
| 23 May 2019 | 49.4 | Neutral | ▼ −6.3 |
| 22 May 2019 | 55.7 | Tension | ▼ −3.8 |
| 21 May 2019 | 59.5 | Tension | ▼ −3.3 |
| 20 May 2019 | 62.8 | Tension | ▼ −1.7 |
| 19 May 2019 | 64.5 | Tension | ▼ −1.1 |
| 18 May 2019 | 65.6 | Tension | ▲ +0.6 |
| 17 May 2019 | 65.0 | Tension | ▲ +3.4 |
| 16 May 2019 | 61.6 | Tension | ▲ +5.2 |
| 15 May 2019 | 56.3 | Tension | ▲ +5.0 |
| 14 May 2019 | 51.4 | Neutral | ▲ +4.4 |
| 13 May 2019 | 47.0 | Neutral | ▼ −1.1 |
| 12 May 2019 | 48.1 | Neutral | ▼ −5.1 |
| 11 May 2019 | 53.2 | Neutral | ▼ −0.5 |
| 10 May 2019 | 53.6 | Neutral | ▲ +1.1 |
| 9 May 2019 | 52.5 | Neutral | ▼ −1.2 |
| 8 May 2019 | 53.7 | Neutral | ▲ +1.7 |
| 7 May 2019 | 52.0 | Neutral | ▲ +5.3 |
| 6 May 2019 | 46.7 | Neutral | ▲ +4.7 |
| 5 May 2019 | 42.0 | Easing | ▲ +4.7 |
| 4 May 2019 | 37.3 | Easing | ▲ +1.4 |
| 3 May 2019 | 35.9 | Easing | ▲ +0.5 |
| 2 May 2019 | 35.4 | Easing | ▲ +1.8 |
| 1 May 2019 | 33.6 | Easing | ▼ −2.9 |
Frequently asked questions
How tense was the world in May 2019?
Riftrate, the index of world tension from 0 (calm) to 100 (crisis), averaged 45.1 (Neutral) in May 2019: the 58th tensest of 104 months since March 2018.
What was the tensest day of May 2019?
18 May 2019, when Riftrate read 65.6 (Tension).
Which countries were most tense in May 2019?
Syria (23.2% of its news about armed violence), Burkina Faso (22.0% of its news about armed violence), Yemen (20.4% of its news about armed violence).