Riftrate · May 2021
World tension in May 2021
In May 2021, Riftrate averaged 66.2 (Tension), up 3.6 points from April 2021. It peaked at 89.6 on 21 May 2021 and was lowest at 38.4 on 5 May 2021.
Average66.2Tension
High89.621 May 2021
Low38.45 May 2021
Change vs April▲ +3.6average to average
The signals this monthmonthly average, 0 = calm, 100 = tense
| Signal | Average | vs Apr |
|---|---|---|
| Economic coercion | 42 | ▼ −27.1 |
| Terrorism & mass violence | 70 | ▲ +19.0 |
| Domestic unrest | 69 | ▲ +15.9 |
| Media tone | 57 | ▲ +8.9 |
| Escalation momentum | 67 | ▲ +6.6 |
| War & military | 88 | ▲ +4.3 |
| Geopolitical risk (GPR) | 49 | ▲ +1.2 |
| Diplomatic rupture | 54 | ▼ −0.8 |
May 2021 in context
By its average, May 2021 was the 21st tensest of 104 months since March 2018. Riftrate spent 19 of its 31 days in Tension or Crisis and 7 in Easing or Complacency. That is 45.4 points higher than in May 2020 (20.8). The countries whose news was most about armed violence: Gaza and the West Bank (27.4%), Burkina Faso (26.1%), Yemen (19.8%).
Day by day
| Day | Riftrate | Zone | Day change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 May 2021 | 75.2 | Tension | ▼ −4.6 |
| 30 May 2021 | 79.9 | Crisis | ▼ −0.9 |
| 29 May 2021 | 80.8 | Crisis | ▼ −0.7 |
| 28 May 2021 | 81.5 | Crisis | ▼ −1.3 |
| 27 May 2021 | 82.8 | Crisis | ▼ −1.3 |
| 26 May 2021 | 84.1 | Crisis | ▼ −1.3 |
| 25 May 2021 | 85.4 | Crisis | ▼ −0.1 |
| 24 May 2021 | 85.5 | Crisis | ▼ −0.7 |
| 23 May 2021 | 86.2 | Crisis | ▼ −2.4 |
| 22 May 2021 | 88.5 | Crisis | ▼ −1.1 |
| 21 May 2021 | 89.6 | Crisis | ▲ +1.7 |
| 20 May 2021 | 87.9 | Crisis | ▲ +2.2 |
| 19 May 2021 | 85.7 | Crisis | ▲ +3.5 |
| 18 May 2021 | 82.2 | Crisis | ▲ +2.6 |
| 17 May 2021 | 79.6 | Crisis | ▲ +4.6 |
| 16 May 2021 | 74.9 | Tension | ▲ +5.7 |
| 15 May 2021 | 69.2 | Tension | ▲ +6.5 |
| 14 May 2021 | 62.7 | Tension | ▲ +4.9 |
| 13 May 2021 | 57.8 | Tension | ▲ +4.4 |
| 12 May 2021 | 53.5 | Neutral | ▲ +5.4 |
| 11 May 2021 | 48.0 | Neutral | ▲ +6.0 |
| 10 May 2021 | 42.0 | Easing | ▲ +2.7 |
| 9 May 2021 | 39.3 | Easing | ▲ +0.1 |
| 8 May 2021 | 39.1 | Easing | ▼ −0.2 |
| 7 May 2021 | 39.3 | Easing | ▲ +0.8 |
| 6 May 2021 | 38.6 | Easing | ▲ +0.1 |
| 5 May 2021 | 38.4 | Easing | ▼ −2.7 |
| 4 May 2021 | 41.1 | Easing | ▼ −6.0 |
| 3 May 2021 | 47.1 | Neutral | ▼ −3.8 |
| 2 May 2021 | 50.9 | Neutral | ▼ −4.3 |
| 1 May 2021 | 55.2 | Neutral | ▼ −6.1 |
Frequently asked questions
How tense was the world in May 2021?
Riftrate, the index of world tension from 0 (calm) to 100 (crisis), averaged 66.2 (Tension) in May 2021: the 21st tensest of 104 months since March 2018.
What was the tensest day of May 2021?
21 May 2021, when Riftrate read 89.6 (Crisis).
Which countries were most tense in May 2021?
Gaza and the West Bank (27.4% of its news about armed violence), Burkina Faso (26.1% of its news about armed violence), Yemen (19.8% of its news about armed violence).