RIFTRATE Get the gauge

World tension in September 2026

In September 2026, Riftrate averaged 44.1 (Easing), down 0.2 points from August 2026. It peaked at 50.9 on 9 September 2026 and was lowest at 35.2 on 1 September 2026.

Average44.1Easing
High50.99 September 2026
Low35.21 September 2026
Change vs August▼ −0.2average to average
Riftrate · September 2026
025507510017 Aug24 Aug31 Aug7 Sep14 Sep21 Sep28 Sep
The signals this monthmonthly average, 0 = calm, 100 = tense
SignalAveragevs Aug
Escalation momentum28▼ −35.6
Economic coercion59▲ +33.2
Media tone23▼ −32.6
Diplomatic rupture65▲ +18.8
Geopolitical risk (GPR)64▲ +16.5
Domestic unrest23▲ +6.7
War & military47▼ −0.7
Terrorism & mass violence41▼ −0.1

September 2026 in context

By its average, September 2026 was the 63rd tensest of 104 months since March 2018. Riftrate spent 0 of its 30 days in Tension or Crisis and 18 in Easing or Complacency. That is 18.0 points lower than in September 2025 (62.1). The countries whose news was most about armed violence: Yemen (33.4%), Gaza and the West Bank (28.2%), Iran (17.9%).

Day by day
DayRiftrateZoneDay change
30 September 202644.1Easing▼ −0.7
29 September 202644.8Neutral▲ +0.8
28 September 202644.0Easing▲ +0.7
27 September 202643.3Easing▲ +0.5
26 September 202642.8Easing▲ +0.4
25 September 202642.5Easing▲ +1.7
24 September 202640.8Easing▲ +0.6
23 September 202640.1Easing▼ −0.1
22 September 202640.2Easing0.0
21 September 202640.2Easing▲ +0.3
20 September 202639.9Easing▲ +0.3
19 September 202639.7Easing▼ −1.2
18 September 202640.9Easing▼ −2.0
17 September 202642.8Easing▼ −1.5
16 September 202644.4Easing▼ −3.3
15 September 202647.7Neutral▼ −1.5
14 September 202649.2Neutral▲ +0.6
13 September 202648.6Neutral▼ −0.6
12 September 202649.2Neutral▼ −1.1
11 September 202650.3Neutral▼ −0.1
10 September 202650.3Neutral▼ −0.6
9 September 202650.9Neutral▲ +1.6
8 September 202649.3Neutral▲ +1.9
7 September 202647.5Neutral▲ +0.1
6 September 202647.3Neutral▲ +1.8
5 September 202645.6Neutral▲ +2.5
4 September 202643.1Easing▲ +2.4
3 September 202640.7Easing▲ +2.6
2 September 202638.1Easing▲ +2.9
1 September 202635.2Easing▼ −0.1
Previous: August 2026All of 2026Next: October 2026

Frequently asked questions

How tense was the world in September 2026?

Riftrate, the index of world tension from 0 (calm) to 100 (crisis), averaged 44.1 (Easing) in September 2026: the 63rd tensest of 104 months since March 2018.

What was the tensest day of September 2026?

9 September 2026, when Riftrate read 50.9 (Neutral).

Which countries were most tense in September 2026?

Yemen (33.4% of its news about armed violence), Gaza and the West Bank (28.2% of its news about armed violence), Iran (17.9% of its news about armed violence).