Riftrate · March 2023
World tension in March 2023
In March 2023, Riftrate averaged 57.3 (Tension), down 10.2 points from February 2023. It peaked at 75.0 on 12 March 2023 and was lowest at 20.5 on 25 March 2023. Major event: Iran–Saudi deal (10 March 2023).
Average57.3Tension
High75.012 March 2023
Low20.525 March 2023
Change vs February▼ −10.2average to average
The signals this monthmonthly average, 0 = calm, 100 = tense
| Signal | Average | vs Feb |
|---|---|---|
| Economic coercion | 43 | ▼ −16.7 |
| War & military | 73 | ▼ −16.3 |
| Domestic unrest | 75 | ▲ +14.4 |
| Geopolitical risk (GPR) | 52 | ▼ −13.6 |
| Escalation momentum | 33 | ▼ −10.9 |
| Diplomatic rupture | 42 | ▼ −10.8 |
| Terrorism & mass violence | 80 | ▲ +5.9 |
| Media tone | 34 | ▲ +1.1 |
March 2023 in context
By its average, March 2023 was the 36th tensest of 104 months since March 2018. Riftrate spent 22 of its 31 days in Tension or Crisis and 6 in Easing or Complacency. That is 38.6 points lower than in March 2022 (96.0). The countries whose news was most about armed violence: Gaza and the West Bank (32.0%), Myanmar (28.0%), North Korea (17.8%).
Day by day
| Day | Riftrate | Zone | Day change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 March 2023 | 68.2 | Tension | ▲ +5.0 |
| 30 March 2023 | 63.2 | Tension | ▲ +9.5 |
| 29 March 2023 | 53.7 | Neutral | ▲ +13.6 |
| 28 March 2023 | 40.1 | Easing | ▲ +11.5 |
| 27 March 2023 | 28.7 | Easing | ▲ +7.0 |
| 26 March 2023 | 21.7 | Complacency | ▲ +1.1 |
| 25 March 2023 | 20.5 | Complacency | ▼ −3.4 |
| 24 March 2023 | 23.9 | Complacency | ▼ −10.2 |
| 23 March 2023 | 34.1 | Easing | ▼ −14.1 |
| 22 March 2023 | 48.2 | Neutral | ▼ −6.9 |
| 21 March 2023 | 55.1 | Neutral | ▼ −0.7 |
| 20 March 2023 | 55.8 | Tension | ▼ −1.0 |
| 19 March 2023 | 56.8 | Tension | ▼ −1.1 |
| 18 March 2023 | 57.9 | Tension | ▼ −0.8 |
| 17 March 2023 | 58.7 | Tension | ▼ −3.9 |
| 16 March 2023 | 62.6 | Tension | ▼ −4.3 |
| 15 March 2023 | 66.8 | Tension | ▼ −3.7 |
| 14 March 2023 | 70.6 | Tension | ▼ −3.5 |
| 13 March 2023 | 74.1 | Tension | ▼ −1.0 |
| 12 March 2023 | 75.0 | Tension | ▲ +0.5 |
| 11 March 2023 | 74.6 | Tension | ▲ +0.1 |
| 10 March 2023 | 74.5 | Tension | ▲ +1.8 |
| 9 March 2023 | 72.7 | Tension | ▲ +3.3 |
| 8 March 2023 | 69.4 | Tension | ▲ +3.3 |
| 7 March 2023 | 66.0 | Tension | ▲ +2.9 |
| 6 March 2023 | 63.2 | Tension | ▲ +1.4 |
| 5 March 2023 | 61.8 | Tension | ▼ −0.4 |
| 4 March 2023 | 62.1 | Tension | ▼ −1.2 |
| 3 March 2023 | 63.3 | Tension | ▼ −2.7 |
| 2 March 2023 | 66.0 | Tension | ▼ −2.2 |
| 1 March 2023 | 68.2 | Tension | ▼ −1.4 |
Frequently asked questions
How tense was the world in March 2023?
Riftrate, the index of world tension from 0 (calm) to 100 (crisis), averaged 57.3 (Tension) in March 2023: the 36th tensest of 104 months since March 2018.
What was the tensest day of March 2023?
12 March 2023, when Riftrate read 75.0 (Tension).
Which countries were most tense in March 2023?
Gaza and the West Bank (32.0% of its news about armed violence), Myanmar (28.0% of its news about armed violence), North Korea (17.8% of its news about armed violence).