RIFTRATE Get the gauge

World tension in August 2023

In August 2023, Riftrate averaged 77.1 (Crisis), up 5.0 points from July 2023. It peaked at 84.7 on 13 August 2023 and was lowest at 65.4 on 28 August 2023.

Average77.1Crisis
High84.713 August 2023
Low65.428 August 2023
Change vs July▲ +5.0average to average
Riftrate · August 2023
025507510017 Jul24 Jul31 Jul7 Aug14 Aug21 Aug28 Aug
The signals this monthmonthly average, 0 = calm, 100 = tense
SignalAveragevs Jul
Escalation momentum86▲ +32.2
Media tone41▲ +29.1
Geopolitical risk (GPR)44▼ −8.2
Diplomatic rupture77▼ −6.3
Domestic unrest91▼ −2.7
Terrorism & mass violence95▼ −1.9
Economic coercion44▲ +1.8
War & military96▼ −0.4

August 2023 in context

By its average, August 2023 was the 8th tensest of 104 months since March 2018. Riftrate spent 31 of its 31 days in Tension or Crisis and 0 in Easing or Complacency. That is 10.8 points higher than in August 2022 (66.2). The countries whose news was most about armed violence: Gaza and the West Bank (32.7%), Myanmar (20.6%), Syria (20.0%).

Day by day
DayRiftrateZoneDay change
31 August 202368.2Tension▲ +1.4
30 August 202366.8Tension▲ +1.3
29 August 202365.5Tension▲ +0.1
28 August 202365.4Tension▼ −0.6
27 August 202366.0Tension▼ −1.0
26 August 202367.0Tension▼ −1.7
25 August 202368.8Tension▼ −2.1
24 August 202370.9Tension▼ −1.5
23 August 202372.4Tension▼ −1.1
22 August 202373.5Tension▼ −1.6
21 August 202375.2Tension▼ −1.4
20 August 202376.5Crisis▼ −1.4
19 August 202378.0Crisis▼ −1.1
18 August 202379.0Crisis▼ −2.1
17 August 202381.1Crisis▼ −1.6
16 August 202382.7Crisis▼ −0.7
15 August 202383.4Crisis▼ −0.7
14 August 202384.2Crisis▼ −0.6
13 August 202384.7Crisis0.0
12 August 202384.7Crisis▲ +0.1
11 August 202384.6Crisis▲ +0.2
10 August 202384.4Crisis▲ +0.5
9 August 202383.9Crisis▼ −0.6
8 August 202384.4Crisis▲ +0.1
7 August 202384.4Crisis▲ +0.5
6 August 202383.9Crisis▲ +1.8
5 August 202382.0Crisis▲ +2.4
4 August 202379.7Crisis▲ +2.0
3 August 202377.6Crisis▲ +1.4
2 August 202376.2Crisis▲ +2.1
1 August 202374.1Tension▲ +1.1
Previous: July 2023All of 2023Next: September 2023

Frequently asked questions

How tense was the world in August 2023?

Riftrate, the index of world tension from 0 (calm) to 100 (crisis), averaged 77.1 (Crisis) in August 2023: the 8th tensest of 104 months since March 2018.

What was the tensest day of August 2023?

13 August 2023, when Riftrate read 84.7 (Crisis).

Which countries were most tense in August 2023?

Gaza and the West Bank (32.7% of its news about armed violence), Myanmar (20.6% of its news about armed violence), Syria (20.0% of its news about armed violence).