RIFTRATE Get the gauge

World tension in January 2024

In January 2024, Riftrate averaged 74.3 (Tension), up 5.4 points from December 2023. It peaked at 78.7 on 19 January 2024 and was lowest at 64.7 on 28 January 2024.

Average74.3Tension
High78.719 January 2024
Low64.728 January 2024
Change vs December▲ +5.4average to average
Riftrate · January 2024
025507510017 Dec24 Dec31 Dec7 Jan14 Jan21 Jan28 Jan
The signals this monthmonthly average, 0 = calm, 100 = tense
SignalAveragevs Dec
Media tone80▲ +24.6
Escalation momentum70▲ +19.7
Domestic unrest33▼ −18.9
Economic coercion30▼ −12.3
Geopolitical risk (GPR)83▲ +9.3
Diplomatic rupture42▼ −6.5
War & military84▲ +5.0
Terrorism & mass violence87▼ −0.7

January 2024 in context

By its average, January 2024 was the 11th 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 13.9 points higher than in January 2023 (60.4). The countries whose news was most about armed violence: Yemen (33.6%), Syria (33.4%), Gaza and the West Bank (32.0%). Also this month: US and UK strike the Houthis (12 January 2024), Taiwan elects Lai Ching-te (13 January 2024).

Day by day
DayRiftrateZoneDay change
31 January 202469.1Tension▲ +1.6
30 January 202467.4Tension▲ +1.4
29 January 202466.0Tension▲ +1.3
28 January 202464.7Tension▼ −1.0
27 January 202465.7Tension▼ −2.3
26 January 202468.0Tension▼ −3.8
25 January 202471.8Tension▼ −2.7
24 January 202474.5Tension▼ −1.5
23 January 202476.0Crisis▼ −0.8
22 January 202476.8Crisis▼ −0.4
21 January 202477.1Crisis▼ −0.8
20 January 202477.9Crisis▼ −0.8
19 January 202478.7Crisis▲ +0.1
18 January 202478.6Crisis▲ +1.3
17 January 202477.3Crisis▲ +0.4
16 January 202476.9Crisis▼ −0.5
15 January 202477.4Crisis▼ −0.6
14 January 202478.0Crisis▲ +0.2
13 January 202477.7Crisis▲ +0.4
12 January 202477.3Crisis▲ +0.3
11 January 202477.1Crisis▼ −0.9
10 January 202478.0Crisis▼ −0.1
9 January 202478.0Crisis▲ +1.7
8 January 202476.3Crisis▲ +1.0
7 January 202475.2Tension▼ −0.3
6 January 202475.5Crisis▼ −0.1
5 January 202475.6Crisis▲ +0.9
4 January 202474.7Tension▲ +1.9
3 January 202472.8Tension▲ +1.4
2 January 202471.5Tension▲ +1.4
1 January 202470.1Tension▲ +1.3
Previous: December 2023All of 2024Next: February 2024

Frequently asked questions

How tense was the world in January 2024?

Riftrate, the index of world tension from 0 (calm) to 100 (crisis), averaged 74.3 (Tension) in January 2024: the 11th tensest of 104 months since March 2018.

What was the tensest day of January 2024?

19 January 2024, when Riftrate read 78.7 (Crisis).

Which countries were most tense in January 2024?

Yemen (33.6% of its news about armed violence), Syria (33.4% of its news about armed violence), Gaza and the West Bank (32.0% of its news about armed violence).