RIFTRATE Get the gauge

World tension in February 2021

In February 2021, Riftrate averaged 44.7 (Neutral), up 3.4 points from January 2021. It peaked at 64.5 on 28 February 2021 and was lowest at 37.9 on 13 February 2021.

Average44.7Neutral
High64.528 February 2021
Low37.913 February 2021
Change vs January▲ +3.4average to average
Riftrate · February 2021
025507510017 Jan24 Jan31 Jan7 Feb14 Feb21 Feb28 Feb
The signals this monthmonthly average, 0 = calm, 100 = tense
SignalAveragevs Jan
Economic coercion61▲ +25.4
Domestic unrest70▲ +16.0
Escalation momentum56▼ −13.3
Media tone47▼ −11.6
War & military45▲ +11.2
Terrorism & mass violence50▲ +10.4
Diplomatic rupture47▼ −8.6
Geopolitical risk (GPR)23▼ −6.0

February 2021 in context

By its average, February 2021 was the 61st tensest of 104 months since March 2018. Riftrate spent 2 of its 28 days in Tension or Crisis and 17 in Easing or Complacency. That is 7.8 points higher than in February 2020 (36.9). The countries whose news was most about armed violence: Yemen (19.0%), Syria (17.0%), Iraq (16.6%). Also this month: Coup in Myanmar (1 February 2021).

Day by day
DayRiftrateZoneDay change
28 February 202164.5Tension▲ +5.6
27 February 202159.0Tension▲ +6.9
26 February 202152.1Neutral▲ +5.9
25 February 202146.2Neutral▲ +1.8
24 February 202144.4Easing▲ +1.5
23 February 202142.9Easing▲ +2.4
22 February 202140.4Easing▲ +1.5
21 February 202138.9Easing▼ −0.5
20 February 202139.5Easing▼ −0.2
19 February 202139.7Easing▲ +0.5
18 February 202139.2Easing▼ −0.8
17 February 202140.0Easing▲ +0.3
16 February 202139.8Easing▲ +0.6
15 February 202139.1Easing▲ +0.7
14 February 202138.5Easing▲ +0.6
13 February 202137.9Easing▼ −1.0
12 February 202138.8Easing▼ −2.5
11 February 202141.3Easing▼ −2.0
10 February 202143.4Easing▼ −2.4
9 February 202145.8Neutral▼ −4.7
8 February 202150.5Neutral▼ −0.4
7 February 202150.9Neutral▲ +0.5
6 February 202150.4Neutral▲ +1.0
5 February 202149.5Neutral▲ +2.0
4 February 202147.5Neutral▲ +1.0
3 February 202146.5Neutral▲ +2.4
2 February 202144.1Easing▲ +3.1
1 February 202141.0Easing▼ −2.2
Previous: January 2021All of 2021Next: March 2021

Frequently asked questions

How tense was the world in February 2021?

Riftrate, the index of world tension from 0 (calm) to 100 (crisis), averaged 44.7 (Neutral) in February 2021: the 61st tensest of 104 months since March 2018.

What was the tensest day of February 2021?

28 February 2021, when Riftrate read 64.5 (Tension).

Which countries were most tense in February 2021?

Yemen (19.0% of its news about armed violence), Syria (17.0% of its news about armed violence), Iraq (16.6% of its news about armed violence).