Riftrate · August 2021
World tension in August 2021
In August 2021, Riftrate averaged 38.8 (Easing), up 0.2 points from July 2021. It peaked at 72.0 on 31 August 2021 and was lowest at 25.7 on 4 August 2021. Major event: Fall of Kabul (15 August 2021).
Average38.8Easing
High72.031 August 2021
Low25.74 August 2021
Change vs July▲ +0.2average to average
The signals this monthmonthly average, 0 = calm, 100 = tense
| Signal | Average | vs Jul |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic unrest | 11 | ▼ −30.4 |
| Geopolitical risk (GPR) | 41 | ▲ +28.6 |
| Terrorism & mass violence | 34 | ▼ −22.2 |
| Economic coercion | 16 | ▼ −19.6 |
| Media tone | 61 | ▲ +19.0 |
| Diplomatic rupture | 51 | ▲ +16.3 |
| Escalation momentum | 56 | ▲ +7.9 |
| War & military | 52 | ▼ −7.2 |
August 2021 in context
By its average, August 2021 was the 75th tensest of 104 months since March 2018. Riftrate spent 6 of its 31 days in Tension or Crisis and 22 in Easing or Complacency. That is 6.7 points higher than in August 2020 (32.1). The countries whose news was most about armed violence: Burkina Faso (23.7%), Gaza and the West Bank (23.1%), Niger (21.8%).
Day by day
| Day | Riftrate | Zone | Day change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 August 2021 | 72.0 | Tension | ▲ +1.2 |
| 30 August 2021 | 70.8 | Tension | ▲ +0.5 |
| 29 August 2021 | 70.3 | Tension | ▲ +3.6 |
| 28 August 2021 | 66.7 | Tension | ▲ +3.5 |
| 27 August 2021 | 63.2 | Tension | ▲ +4.5 |
| 26 August 2021 | 58.7 | Tension | ▲ +5.6 |
| 25 August 2021 | 53.2 | Neutral | ▲ +3.9 |
| 24 August 2021 | 49.3 | Neutral | ▲ +4.6 |
| 23 August 2021 | 44.6 | Neutral | ▲ +5.6 |
| 22 August 2021 | 39.0 | Easing | ▲ +4.9 |
| 21 August 2021 | 34.1 | Easing | ▲ +4.8 |
| 20 August 2021 | 29.3 | Easing | ▲ +1.0 |
| 19 August 2021 | 28.3 | Easing | ▲ +0.3 |
| 18 August 2021 | 28.0 | Easing | ▼ −0.3 |
| 17 August 2021 | 28.3 | Easing | ▲ +0.9 |
| 16 August 2021 | 27.4 | Easing | ▲ +0.9 |
| 15 August 2021 | 26.5 | Easing | ▼ −2.0 |
| 14 August 2021 | 28.4 | Easing | ▼ −1.7 |
| 13 August 2021 | 30.1 | Easing | ▼ −0.8 |
| 12 August 2021 | 30.9 | Easing | ▼ −0.8 |
| 11 August 2021 | 31.7 | Easing | ▼ −0.1 |
| 10 August 2021 | 31.8 | Easing | ▲ +1.1 |
| 9 August 2021 | 30.8 | Easing | ▼ −0.3 |
| 8 August 2021 | 31.1 | Easing | ▼ −0.2 |
| 7 August 2021 | 31.3 | Easing | ▲ +1.5 |
| 6 August 2021 | 29.8 | Easing | ▲ +2.2 |
| 5 August 2021 | 27.6 | Easing | ▲ +1.9 |
| 4 August 2021 | 25.7 | Easing | ▼ −0.6 |
| 3 August 2021 | 26.2 | Easing | ▼ −1.9 |
| 2 August 2021 | 28.1 | Easing | ▼ −1.2 |
| 1 August 2021 | 29.3 | Easing | ▼ −0.8 |
Frequently asked questions
How tense was the world in August 2021?
Riftrate, the index of world tension from 0 (calm) to 100 (crisis), averaged 38.8 (Easing) in August 2021: the 75th tensest of 104 months since March 2018.
What was the tensest day of August 2021?
31 August 2021, when Riftrate read 72.0 (Tension).
Which countries were most tense in August 2021?
Burkina Faso (23.7% of its news about armed violence), Gaza and the West Bank (23.1% of its news about armed violence), Niger (21.8% of its news about armed violence).