RIFTRATE Get the gauge

World tension in February 2023

In February 2023, Riftrate averaged 67.5 (Tension), up 7.2 points from January 2023. It peaked at 85.4 on 2 February 2023 and was lowest at 56.4 on 14 February 2023.

Average67.5Tension
High85.42 February 2023
Low56.414 February 2023
Change vs January▲ +7.2average to average
Riftrate · February 2023
025507510017 Jan24 Jan31 Jan7 Feb14 Feb21 Feb28 Feb
The signals this monthmonthly average, 0 = calm, 100 = tense
SignalAveragevs Jan
Escalation momentum44▼ −38.5
Economic coercion59▲ +23.1
Diplomatic rupture53▲ +22.9
Media tone33▼ −20.9
Geopolitical risk (GPR)66▲ +16.1
War & military89▲ +10.8
Terrorism & mass violence74▲ +7.7
Domestic unrest61▲ +3.7

February 2023 in context

By its average, February 2023 was the 18th tensest of 104 months since March 2018. Riftrate spent 28 of its 28 days in Tension or Crisis and 0 in Easing or Complacency. That is 16.5 points lower than in February 2022 (84.0). The countries whose news was most about armed violence: Gaza and the West Bank (30.6%), Myanmar (23.5%), Somalia (21.7%).

Day by day
DayRiftrateZoneDay change
28 February 202369.6Tension▼ −0.5
27 February 202370.1Tension▼ −1.2
26 February 202371.4Tension▼ −1.5
25 February 202372.8Tension▲ +0.9
24 February 202371.9Tension▲ +3.0
23 February 202368.9Tension▲ +2.9
22 February 202366.0Tension▲ +1.7
21 February 202364.3Tension▲ +2.1
20 February 202362.2Tension▲ +1.5
19 February 202360.6Tension▲ +2.4
18 February 202358.2Tension▲ +1.0
17 February 202357.1Tension0.0
16 February 202357.2Tension▲ +0.5
15 February 202356.7Tension▲ +0.2
14 February 202356.4Tension▼ −0.4
13 February 202356.9Tension▼ −0.1
12 February 202356.9Tension▼ −2.1
11 February 202359.0Tension▼ −2.3
10 February 202361.3Tension▼ −2.4
9 February 202363.7Tension▼ −4.0
8 February 202367.7Tension▼ −3.6
7 February 202371.3Tension▼ −3.9
6 February 202375.2Tension▼ −4.5
5 February 202379.7Crisis▼ −2.3
4 February 202381.9Crisis▼ −2.1
3 February 202384.0Crisis▼ −1.4
2 February 202385.4Crisis▲ +0.7
1 February 202384.7Crisis▲ +0.8
Previous: January 2023All of 2023Next: March 2023

Frequently asked questions

How tense was the world in February 2023?

Riftrate, the index of world tension from 0 (calm) to 100 (crisis), averaged 67.5 (Tension) in February 2023: the 18th tensest of 104 months since March 2018.

What was the tensest day of February 2023?

2 February 2023, when Riftrate read 85.4 (Crisis).

Which countries were most tense in February 2023?

Gaza and the West Bank (30.6% of its news about armed violence), Myanmar (23.5% of its news about armed violence), Somalia (21.7% of its news about armed violence).