List of Heads of State 1981

Overview
◄◄ | ◄ | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | List of Heads of State 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | ► | ►►
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Africa

Egypt
- Head of State:
  - President Anwar as-Sadat (1970–6 October 1981) (1973–1974, 1980–1981 Prime Minister)
  - President of Parliament Sufi Abu Taleb (October 6, 1981– October 14, 1981) (acting)
  - President Husni Mubarak (October 14, 1981–2011) (Prime Minister 1981–1982)
- Head of Government:
  - Prime Minister Anwar as-Sadat ( 1973–1974 , 1980–6 October 1981) (1970–1981 President)
  - Prime Minister Husni Mubarak (October 7, 1981–1982) (1981–2011 President)

Algeria
- Head of State: President Chadli Bendjedid (1979–1992)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Mohamed Ben Ahmed Abdelghani (1979–1984)

Angola
- Head of State and Government: President José Eduardo dos Santos (1979–2017)

Equatorial Guinea
- Head of State and Government: Chairman of the Supreme Military Council Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (since 1979) (since 1982 President)

Ethiopia
- Head of State and Government: Chairman of the Provisional Military Administrative Council Mengistu Haile Mariam ( 1974 , 1977–1991) (President from 1987)

Benin
- Head of State and Government: President Mathieu Kérékou (1972–1991, 1996–2006 )

Botswana
- Head of State or Government: President Quett Masire (1980–1998)

Burundi
- Head of State and Government: President Jean-Baptiste Bagaza (1976–1987)

Djibouti
- Head of State: President Hassan Gouled Aptidon (1977–1999) (1977 Prime Minister)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Barkat Gourad Hamadou (1978-2001)

Ivory Coast
- Head of State and Government: President Félix Houphouët-Boigny (1960–1993)

Gabon
- Head of State: President Omar Bongo (1967–2009)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Léon Mébiame (1975–1990)

Gambia
- Head of State and Government: President Dawda Jawara (1970–1994) (Prime Minister 1965–1970)

Ghana
- Head of State and Government:
  - President Hilla Limann (1979–31 December 1981)
  - Chairman of the Provisional National Defense Council Jerry Rawlings ( 1979 , December 31, 1981-2001) (President from 1993)

Guinea
- Head of State: President Ahmed Sékou Touré (1958–1984)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Louis Lansana Béavogui (1972–1984)

Guinea-Bissau
- Head of State: President João Bernardo Vieira (1980–1984, 1984–1999, 2005–2009 ) (1978–1980 Prime Minister)
- Head of Government: vacant (1980–1982)

Cameroon
- Head of State: President Ahmadou Ahidjo (1960–1982)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Paul Biya (1975–1982) (President since 1982)

Cape Verde
- Head of State: President Aristides Pereira (1975–1991)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Pedro Pires (1975–1991) (2001–2011 President)

Kenya
- Head of State and Government: President Daniel Arap Moi (1978–2002)

Comoros
- Head of State: Chairman of the Military-Political Directorate Ahmed Abdallah ( 1975 , 1978–1989)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Salim Ben Ali (1978–1982)

People's Republic of the Congo (1960–1970 Congo-Brazzaville ; from 1992 Republic of the Congo )
- Head of State: President Denis Sassou-Nguesso (1979–1992, since 1997)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Louis Sylvain Goma (1975–1984, 1991 )

Lesotho
- Head of State: King Moshoeshoe II ( 1966–1970 , 1970–1990, 1995–1996 )
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Leabua Jonathan (1966–1986) (1970 Head of State)

Liberia
- Head of State and Government: Chairman of the Redemption Council of the People Samuel K. Doe (1980–1990) (President from 1984)

Libya
- Revolutionary leader: Muammar al-Gaddafi (1969–2011) (1969–1979 General Secretary of the General People's Congress)
- Head of State:
  - General Secretary of the General People's Congress Abd al-Ati al-Ubayyidi (1979–7 January 1981) (1977–1979 General Secretary of the General People's Committee)
  - General Secretary of the General People's Congress Muhammad az-Zaruq Rajab (January 7, 1981–1984) (1984–1986 General Secretary of the General People's Committee)
- Head of Government: General Secretary of the General People's Committee Jadullah Azzuz at-Talhi (1979–1984, 1986–1987 )

Madagascar

Head of State: President Didier Ratsiraka (1975–1993, 1997–2002 )

Head of Government: Prime Minister Désiré Rakotoarijaona (1977–1988)

Malawi
- Head of State or Government: President Hastings Kamuzu Banda (1966–1994) (1964–1966 Prime Minister)

Mali
- Head of State and Government: President Moussa Traoré (1968–1991)

Morocco
- Head of State: King Hassan II (1961–1999)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Maati Bouabid (1979–1983)

Mauritania
- Head of State: President Mohamed Khouna Ould Haidalla (1980–1984) (1979–1980, 1984 Prime Minister)
- Head of Government:
  - Prime Minister Sid Ahmed Ould Bneijara (1980-25 April 1981)
  - Prime Minister Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya (April 25, 1981–1984, 1984–1992 ) (1984–2005 President)

Mauritius

Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II (1968–1992)
Governor General: Dayendranath Burrenchobay (1978–1983)

Head of Government: Prime Minister Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (1968–1982) (1983–1985 Governor General)

Mozambique

Head of State: President Samora Machel (1975–1986)

Head of Government: Prime Minister Mário Fernandes da Graça Machungo (1976–1994)

Niger
- Head of State and Government: President of the Supreme Military Council Seyni Kountché (1974–1987)

Nigeria
- Head of State and Government: President Shehu Shagari (1979–1983)

Upper Volta (today Burkina Faso )
- Head of State and Government: President of the Military Council for Reconstruction and National Progress Saye Zerbo (1980–1982)

Rwanda
- Head of State and Government: President Juvénal Habyarimana (1973–1994)

Zambia
- Head of State: President Kenneth Kaunda (1964–1991)
- Head of Government:
  - Prime Minister Daniel Lisulo (1978-18 February 1981)
  - Prime Minister Nalumino Mundia (February 18, 1981–1985)

Sao Tome and Principe
- Head of State and Government: President Manuel Pinto da Costa (1975–1991, 2011–2016 )

Senegal
- Head of State: President Abdou Diouf (January 1, 1981–2000) (Prime Minister 1970–1980)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Habib Thiam (January 1, 1981–1983, 1991–1998 )

Seychelles
- Head of State and Government: President France-Albert René (1977–2004) (1976–1977 Prime Minister)

Sierra Leone
- Head of State and Government: President Siaka Stevens (1971–1985) (1967, 1968–1971 Prime Minister)

Zimbabwe
- Head of State: President Canaan Banana (1980–1987)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Robert Mugabe (1980–1987) (President 1987–2017)

Somalia
- Head of State and Government: President Siad Barre (1969–1991)

South Africa
- Head of State: President Marais Viljoen ( 1978 , 1979–1984)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Pieter Willem Botha (1978–1984) (1984–1989 President)

Sudan
- Head of State: President Jafar an-Numairi ( 1969–1971 , 1971–1985) (1969–1976, 1977–1985 Prime Minister)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Jafar an-Numairi ( 1969–1976 , 1977–1985) (1969–1971, 1971–1985 President)

Swaziland

Head of State: King Sobhuza II. (1968–1982)

Head of Government: Prime Minister Mabandla Dlamini (1979–1983)

Tanzania
- Head of State: President Julius Nyerere (1962–1985) (Prime Minister 1961–1962)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Cleopa David Msuya (1980–1983, 1994–1995 )

Togo
- Head of State and Government: President Gnassingbé Eyadéma (1967–2005)

Chad
- Head of State and Government: President of the Transitional Government of the National Union Goukouni Oueddei ( 1979 , 1979–1982)

Tunisia
- Head of State: President Habib Bourguiba (1957–1987)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Mohamed Mzali (1980–1986)

Uganda

Head of State: President Milton Obote ( 1966–1971 , 1980–1985) (Prime Minister 1962–1966)

Head of Government: Prime Minister Otema Allimadi (1980–1985)

Western Sahara (controversial)
- Head of State: Chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council Mohamed Abdelaziz (1976-2016) (in exile)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Mohamed Lamine Ould Ahmed (1976–1982, 1985–1988 ) (in exile)

Zaïre (until 1964 Congo-Léopoldville , 1964–1971, since 1997 Democratic Republic of the Congo )
- Head of State: President Mobutu Sese Seko (1965–1997)
- Head of Government:
  - Prime Minister Nguza Karl-I-Bond (1980–23 April 1981, 1991–1992 )
  - Prime Minister N'singa Udjuu Ongwabeki Untubu (April 23, 1981–1982)

Central African Republic
- Head of State:
  - President David Dacko ( 1960–1966 , 1979–1 September 1981)
  - Chairman of the Military Committee of National Reconstruction André Kolingba (September 1, 1981–1993) (President from 1985)
- Head of Government:
  - Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Lebouder (1980-4 April 1981)
  - Prime Minister Simon Narcisse Bozanga (April 4, 1981– September 1, 1981) (post abolished)

America

North America

Canada
- Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II (since 1952)
  - Governor General : Edward Schreyer (1979–1984)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau ( 1968–1979 , 1980–1984)

Mexico
- Head of State and Government: President José López Portillo (1976–1982)

United States of America
- Head of State and Government:
  - President Jimmy Carter (1977– January 20, 1981)
  - President Ronald Reagan (January 20, 1981-1989)

Central America

Antigua and Barbuda (1981 independence)
- Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II (since November 1, 1981)
  - Governor General : Wilfred E. Jacobs (November 1, 1981–1993)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Vere Cornwall Bird (November 1, 1981-1994)

Bahamas
- Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II (since 1973)
  - Governor General : Gerald Cash (1979–1988)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Lynden O. Pindling (1973–1992)

Barbados
- Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II (since 1966)
  - Governor General : Deighton Lisle Ward (1976–1984)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister John Michael G. Adams (1976–1985)

Belize (1981 independence)
- Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II (since September 21, 1981)
  - Governor General : Minita Gordon (September 21, 1981–1993)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister George Cadle Price (September 21, 1981–1984, 1989–1993 )

Costa Rica
- Head of State and Government: President Rodrigo Carazo Odio (1978–1982)

Dominica (1978 independence)
- Head of State: President Aurelius Marie (1979–1983)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Eugenia Charles (1980–1995)

Dominican Republic
- Head of State and Government: President Antonio Guzmán Fernández (1978–1982)

El Salvador
- Head of State and Government: Revolutionary Junta (1979–1982)

Grenada
- Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II (since 1974)
  - Governor General : Paul Scoon (1978–1992)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Maurice Bishop (1979–1983)

Guatemala
- Head of State and Government: President Fernando Romeo Lucas García (1978–1982)

Haiti
- Head of State and Government: President Jean-Claude Duvalier (1971–1986)

Honduras
- Head of State and Government: President Policarpio Juan Paz García (1978–1982)

Jamaica
- Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II (since 1962)
  - Governor General : Florizel Glasspole (1973–1991)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Edward Seaga (1980–1989)

Cuba
Head of State and Head of Government: President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers Fidel Castro (1976–2008) (1959–1976 Prime Minister)

Nicaragua
- Head of State and Government:
  - Government junta of national reconstruction :
    - Daniel Ortega (1979–1985) (1985–1990, President since 2007)
    - Sergio Ramírez (1979–1985)
    - Moisés Hassan Morales (1979–4 March 1981)
    - Rafael Córdova Rivas (1980–1985)
    - Arturo José Cruz Porras (1980–4 March 1981)

Panama
- Head of State and Government: President Aristides Royo (1978–1982)

St. Lucia
- Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II (since 1979)
  - Governor General : Boswell Williams (1980–1982)
- Head of Government:
  - Prime Minister Allan Louisy (1979–4 May 1981)
  - Prime Minister Michael Pilgrim (May 4, 1981–1982) (Acting)

St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II (since 1979)
  - Governor General : Sydney Gun-Munro (1979–1985)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Milton Cato (1979–1984)

Trinidad and Tobago
- Head of State: President Ellis Clarke (1976–1987) (1972–1976 Governor General)
- Head of Government:
  - Prime Minister Eric Eustace Williams (1962-29 March 1981)
  - Prime Minister George Chambers (March 30, 1981–1986)

South America

Argentina
Head of State and Government:

President Jorge Rafael Videla (1976-29 March 1981)

President Roberto Eduardo Viola (March 29, 1981– December 11, 1981)

President Carlos Alberto Lacoste (December 11, 1981– December 22, 1981) ( Acting )

President Leopoldo Galtieri (December 22, 1981–1982)

Bolivia
- Head of State and Government:
  - President Luis García Meza Tejada (1980–4 August 1981)
  - Junta Celso Torrelio Villa , Waldo Bernal Pereira , Oscar Pammo Rodríguez (August 4, 1981– September 4, 1981)
  - President Celso Torrelio Villa (September 4, 1981–1982)

Brazil
Head of State and Government:

President João Baptista de Oliveira Figueiredo (1979–1985)

President Aureliano Chaves (September 23, 1981– November 12, 1981, 1983 ) ( Acting )

Chile
- Head of State and Government: President Augusto Pinochet (1974–1990)

Ecuador
- Head of State and Government:
  - President Jaime Roldós (1979–24 May 1981)
  - President Osvaldo Hurtado (May 24, 1981–1984)

Guyana
- Head of State: President Forbes Burnham (1980–1985) (Prime Minister 1966–1980)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Ptolemy Reid (1980–1984)

Colombia
- Head of State and Government: President Julio César Turbay (1978–1982)

Paraguay
- Head of State and Government: President Alfredo Stroessner (1954–1989)

Peru
- Head of State: President Fernando Belaúnde Terry ( 1963–1968 , 1980–1985)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Manuel Ulloa Elías (1980–1983)

Uruguay
- Head of State and Government:
  - President Aparicio Méndez (1976–1 September 1981)
  - President Gregorio Álvarez (September 1, 1981–1985)

Venezuela
- Head of State and Government: President Luís Herrera Campíns (1979–1984)

Asia

East, South and Southeast Asia

Bangladesh
- Head of State:
  - President Ziaur Rahman (1977–30 May 1981)
  - President Abdus Sattar (May 30, 1981–1982)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Shah Azizur Rahman (1979–1982)

Bhutan
- Head of State and Government: King Jigme Singye Wangchuck (1972-2006)

Burma (now Myanmar )
- Head of State:
  - President Ne Win (1962–9 November 1981) (until 1974 Chairman of the Revolutionary Council) (1958–1960, 1962–1974 Prime Minister)
  - President San Yu (Nov. 9, 1981–1988)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Maung Maung Kha (1977–1988)

Republic of China (Taiwan)
- Head of State: President Chiang Ching-kuo (1978–1988) (1972–1978 Prime Minister)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Sun Yun-suan (1978–1984)

People's Republic of China
- Party leader:
  - Chairman of the Communist Party of China Hua Guofeng (1976–29 June 1981) (1976–1980 Prime Minister)
  - Chinese Communist Party Chairman Hu Yaobang (June 29, 1981–1982) (CCP General Secretary 1980–1987)
- Head of State: Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Ye Jianying (1978–1983)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Zhao Ziyang (1980–1987) (1987–1989 General Secretary of the CCP)

India
- Head of State: President Neelam Sanjiva Reddy (1977–1982)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ( 1966–1977 , 1980–1984)

Indonesia
- Head of State and Government: President Suharto (1967–1998)

Japan
- Head of State: Emperor Hirohito (1926–1989)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Zenkō Suzuki (1980–1982)

Cambodia
- Head of State: President of the Revolutionary People's Council Heng Samrin (1979–1992) (from June 27, 1981 Chairman of the State Council)
- Head of Government:
  - Prime Minister Pen Sovan (June 25, 1981– December 5, 1981) (newly created office)
  - Prime Minister Chan Sy (December 5, 1981–1984)

North Korea
- Chairman of the National Defense Commission : Kim Il-sung (1948–1994)
- Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly : Kim Il-sung (1972–1994)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Ri Jong-ok (1977–1984)

South Korea
- Head of State: President Chun Doo-hwan (1980–1988)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Nam Duck-woo (1980–1982)

Laos

Head of State: President Souphanouvong (1975–1991)

Head of Government: Prime Minister Kaysone Phomvihane (1975–1991) (1991–1992 President)

Malaysia
- Head of State: Supreme Ruler Ahmad Shah Al-Mustain Billah (1979–1984)
- Head of Government:
  - Prime Minister Hussein Onn (1976–16 July 1981)
  - Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad (July 16, 1981–2003, 2018–2020 )

Maldives
- Head of State or Government: President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (1978–2008)

Nepal
- Head of State: King Birendra (1972-2001)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa ( 1963–1964, 1965–1969 , 1979–1983, 1997–1998, 2003–2004 )

Pakistan
- Head of State and Government: President Mohammed Zia-ul-Haq (1978–1988) (1988 Prime Minister)

Philippines
- Head of State and Government: President Ferdinand Marcos (1965–1986)

Singapore

Head of State:

President Benjamin Henry Sheares (1971– May 12, 1981)

President of Parliament Yeoh Ghim Seng ( 1970–1971 , May 12, 1981– October 24 , 1981) (acting)

President Devan Nair (October 24, 1981–1985)

Head of Government: Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew (1959–1990)

Sri Lanka
- Head of State: President Junius Richard Jayawardene (1978–1989) (1977–1978 Prime Minister)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Ranasinghe Premadasa (1978–1989)

Thailand
- Head of State: King Rama IX. Bhumibol Adulyadej (1946-2016)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda (1980–1988)

Vietnam
- Head of State:
  - President Nguyễn Hữu Thọ (1980–4 July 1981) (acting)
  - Chairman of the Trường Chinh State Council (1981–1987)
- Head of Government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers Phạm Văn Đồng (1976–1987) (1955–1976 Prime Minister of North Vietnam)

Middle East

Bahrain
- Head of State: Emir Isa II. (1971–1999)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Khalifa ibn Salman Al Khalifa (since 1971)

Iraq
- Head of State and Government: President Saddam Hussein (1979-2003)

Iran
- Religious head: Supreme legal scholar Ruhollah Khomeini (1980–1989)
- Head of State:
  - President Abu l-Hasan Banisadr (1980– June 22, 1981)
  - Provisional Presidency Council (June 22, 1981– August 2, 1981)
  - President Mohammad Ali Rajāʾi (August 2, 1981– August 30, 1981) (Prime Minister 1980–1981)
  - Provisional Presidency Council (August 30, 1981– October 13, 1981)
  - President Ali Chamene'i (October 13, 1981–1989) (Chief Legal Scholar since 1989)
- Head of Government:
  - Prime Minister Mohammad Ali Radschāʾi (1980–4 August 1981) (1981 President)
  - Prime Minister Mohammad Jawad Bahonar (August 4, 1981– August 30, 1981)
  - Prime Minister Mohammed Reza Mahdavi-Kani (September 2, 1981– October 31, 1981)
  - Prime Minister Mir Hossein Mousavi (October 31, 1981–1989)

Israel
- Head of State: President Yitzchak Nawon (1978–1983)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Menachem Begin (1977–1983)

North Yemen
- Head of State: President Ali Abdullah Salih (1978–1990) (1990–2012 President of Yemen)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Abdul Karim al-Iryani (1980–1983) (1998–2001 Prime Minister of Yemen)

South Yemen
- Head of State: Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Council Ali Nasir Muhammad ( 1978 , 1980–1986) (Prime Minister 1971–1985)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Ali Nasir Muhammad (1971–1985) (1978, 1980–1986 President)

Jordan
- Head of State: King Hussein (1952–1999)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Mudar Badran ( 1976–1979 , 1980–1984, 1990–1991 )

Qatar
- Head of State and Government: Emir Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani (1972–1995)

Kuwait

Head of State: Emir Jabir III. (1977–2006) ( 1962–1963, 1965–1978 Prime Minister )

Head of Government: Prime Minister Sa'ad al-Abdallah as-Salim as-Sabah (1978-2003) (2006 Emir)

Lebanon
- Head of State: President Elias Sarkis (1976–1982)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Shafik Wazzan (1980–1984)

Oman
- Head of State and Government: Sultan Qaboos ibn Said (1970–2020)

Saudi Arabia
- Head of State and Government: King Khalid ibn Abd al-Aziz (1975–1982)

Syria

Head of State: President Hafiz al-Assad (1971–2000) (1970–1971 Prime Minister)

Head of Government: Prime Minister Abdul Rauf al-Kasm (1980–1987)

Turkey
- Head of State: President Kenan Evren (1980–1989)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Bülent Ulusu (1980–1983)

United Arab Emirates
- Head of State: President Zayid bin Sultan Al Nahyan (1971–2004) (1966–2004 Emir of Abu Dhabi)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Raschid bin Said Al Maktum (1979–1990) (1958–1990 Emir of Dubai)

Central Asia

Afghanistan
- Head of State: President of the Revolutionary Council Babrak Karmal (1979–1986)
- Head of Government:
  - Prime Minister Babrak Karmal (1979–11 July 1981)
  - Prime Minister Sultan Ali Keschtmand (July 11, 1981–1988, 1989–1990 )

Mongolia
- Head of State: Chairman of the Great People's Chural Jumdschaagiin Tsedenbal (1974–1984) (1952–1974 Chairman of the Council of Ministers)
- Head of Government: Chairman of the Dschambyn Batmönch Council of Ministers (1974–1984) (1984–1990 Chairman of the Great People's Chural)

Australia and Oceania

Australia
- Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II (since 1952)
  - Governor General : Zelman Cowen (1977–1982)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser (1975–1983)

Cook Islands (independent state in free association with New Zealand)
- Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II (since 1965)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Tom Davis (1978–1983, 1983–1987 )

Fiji
- Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II (1970–1987)
  - Governor General: George Cakobau (1973–1983)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Kamisese Mara (1970–1987, 1987–1992 ) (1993–2000 President)

Kiribati
- Head of State or Government: President Ieremia Tabai (1979–1982, 1983–1991 )

Nauru
- Head of State and Government: President Hammer DeRoburt ( 1968–1976 , 1978–1986, 1986, 1986–1989 )

New Zealand
- Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II (since 1952)
  - Governor General : David Beattie (1980–1985)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Robert Muldoon (1975-1984)

Niue (independent state in free association with New Zealand)
- Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II (since 1974)
  - Queen's Representative: Governor General of New Zealand
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Robert Rex (1974–1992)

Papua New Guinea
- Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II (since 1975)
  - Governor General : Tore Lokoloko (1977–1983)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Julius Chan (1980–1982, 1984–1997 )

Solomon Islands
- Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II (since 1978)
  - Governor General : Baddeley Devesi (1978–1988)
- Head of Government:
  - Prime Minister Peter Kenilorea (1978–31 August 1981, 1984–1986 )
  - Prime Minister Solomon Mamaloni (August 31, 1981-1984, 1989-1993, 1994-1997 )

Tonga
- Head of State: King Taufaʻahau Tupou IV. (1970-2006)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Fatafehi Tu'ipelehake (1970–1991)

Tuvalu
- Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II (since 1978)
  - Governor General : Fiatao Penitala Teo (1978–1986)
- Head of Government:
  - Prime Minister Toaripi Lauti (1978–8 September 1981)
  - Prime Minister Tomasi Puapua (September 8, 1981–1989)

Vanuatu
- Head of State: President Ati George Sokomanu (1980–1984, 1984–1989 )
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Walter Hadye Lini (1980–1991)

Western Samoa (today Samoa )
- Head of State: O le Ao o le Malo Tanumafili II. (1962-2007)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Tupuola Taisi Tufuga Efi (1976–1982) (2007–2017 Head of State)

Europe

Albania
- Party leader: 1st Secretary of the Albanian Workers' Party Enver Hoxha (1948–1985) (1946–1954 Prime Minister)
- Head of State: Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Assembly Haxhi Lleshi (1953–1982)
- Head of Government:
  - Prime Minister Mehmet Shehu (1954–18 December 1981)
  - Prime Minister Adil Çarçani (December 18, 1981–1991) (provisional until 1982)

Andorra
- Co-princes :
  - President of France :
    - Valéry Giscard d'Estaing (1974–21 May 1981)
    - François Mitterrand (May 21, 1981–1995)
  - Bishop of Urgell : Joan Martí Alanís (1971-2003)

Belgium
- Head of State: King Baudouin I (1951–1993)
- Head of Government:
  - Prime Minister Wilfried Martens (1979–6 April 1981, 1981–1992 )
  - Prime Minister Mark Eyskens (April 6, 1981– December 17, 1981)
  - Prime Minister Wilfried Martens ( 1979–1981 , December 17, 1981–1992)

Bulgaria
- Party leader: General Secretary of the Bulgarian Communist Party Todor Zhivkov (1954–1989) (1971–1989 Chairman of the Council of State) (1962–1971 Chairman of the Council of Ministers)
- Head of State: Chairman of the Council of State Todor Zhivkow (1971–1989) (1954–1989 party leader) (1962–1971 Chairman of the Council of Ministers)
- Head of Government:
  - Chairman of the Council of Ministers Stanko Todorow (1971–18 June 1981) (1990 President)
  - Chairman of the Council of Ministers Grisha Filipov (June 18, 1981–1986)

Denmark
- Head of State: Queen Margrethe II (since 1972)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Anker Jørgensen ( 1972–1973 , 1975–1982)
- Faroe Islands (politically self-governing and autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark)
  - Representative of the Danish government:
    - Reichsombudsman Leif Groth (1972–1981)
    - Reichsombudsman Niels Bentsen (1981–1988)
  - Head of Government:
    - Prime Minister Atli P. Dam (1970–5 January 1981, 1985–1989, 1991–1993 )
    - Prime Minister Pauli Ellefsen (January 5, 1981–1985)
- Greenland (politically self-governing and autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark)
  - Representative of the Danish government: Reichsombudsmann Torben Hede Pedersen (1979–1992)
  - Head of Government: Prime Minister Jonathan Motzfeldt (1979–1991, 1997–2002 )

Federal Republic of Germany
- Head of State: Federal President Karl Carstens (1979–1984)
- Head of Government: Federal Chancellor Helmut Schmidt (1974–1982)

German Democratic Republic
- Party leader: General Secretary of the Central Committee of the SED Erich Honecker (1971–1989) (1976–1989 Chairman of the State Council)
- Head of State: Chairman of the Council of State Erich Honecker (1976–1989) (1971–1989 party leader)
- Head of Government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers Willi Stoph ( 1964–1973 , 1976–1989) (1973–1976 Chairman of the State Council)

Finland
- Head of State:
  - President Urho Kekkonen (1956–1982) (1950–1953, 1954–1956 Prime Minister)
  - Prime Minister Mauno Koivisto (September 11, 1981–1982) (acting)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Mauno Koivisto ( 1968–1970 , 1979–1982) (1982–1994 President)

France
- Head of State:
  - President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing (1974–21 May 1981)
  - President François Mitterrand (May 21, 1981–1995)
- Head of Government:
  - Prime Minister Raymond Barre (1976-21 May 1981)
  - Prime Minister Pierre Mauroy (May 21, 1981-1984)

Greece
- Head of State: President Konstantinos Karamanlis (1980–1985, 1990–1995 ) (1955–1958, 1958–1961, 1961–1963, 1974–1980 Prime Minister)
- Head of Government:
  - Prime Minister Georgios Rallis (1980–21 October 1981)
  - Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou (October 21, 1981–1989, 1993–1996 )

Ireland
- Head of State: President Patrick Hillery (1976–1990)
- Head of Government:
  - Prime Minister Charles J. Haughey (1979–30 June 1981, 1982, 1987–1992 )
  - Prime Minister Garret FitzGerald (June 30, 1981–1982, 1982–1987 )

Iceland
- Head of State: President Vigdís Finnbogadóttir (1980–1996)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Gunnar Thoroddsen (1980–1983)

Italy
- Head of State: President Sandro Pertini (1978–1985)
- Head of Government:
  - Prime Minister Arnaldo Forlani (1980–28 June 1981)
  - Prime Minister Giovanni Spadolini (June 28, 1981–1982)

Yugoslavia
- Head of State:
  - Chairman of the Presidium Cvijetin Mijatović (1980–15 May 1981)
  - Chairman of the Presidium Sergej Kraigher (May 15, 1981–1982)
- Head of government: President of the executive Federal Council Veselin Đuranović (1977–1982) (1984–1985 head of state)

Channel Islands
- guernsey
  - Head of State and Government: Duchess Elisabeth II (since 1952)
    - Vice-Governor: Peter de Lacey Le Cheminant (1980–1985)
- jersey
  - Head of State and Government: Duchess Elisabeth II (since 1952)
    - Lieutenant Governor: Peter Whiteley (1979–1984)

Liechtenstein
- Head of State: Prince Franz Josef II. (1938–1989)
- Head of Government : Hans Brunhart (1978–1993)

Luxembourg
- Head of State: Grand Duke Jean (1964–2000)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Pierre Werner ( 1959–1974 , 1979–1984)

Malta
- Head of State:
  - President Anton Buttiġieġ (1976–27 December 1981)
  - President Albert Hyzler (December 27, 1981–1982) (Acting)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Dom Mintoff (1971–1984)

Isle of Man
- Head of State: Lord of Man Elizabeth II (since 1952)
  - Vice Governor : Oswald Nigel Cecil (1980–1985)
- Head of Government:
  - Executive Board Chairman Clifford Irving (1977–24 November 1981)
  - Chairman of the Executive Council Percy Radcliffe ( 1971–1977 , November 24, 1981–1985)

Monaco
- Head of State: Prince : Rainier III. (1949-2005)
- Head of Government:
  - Minister of State André Saint-Mleux (1972 – July 1981)
  - Minister of State Jean Herly (July 1981–1985)

Netherlands
- Head of State: Queen Beatrix (1980-2013)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Dries van Agt (1977–1982)

Norway
- Head of State: King Olav V (1957–1991)
- Head of Government:
  - Prime Minister Odvar Nordli (1976–4 February 1981)
  - Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland (February 4, 1981– October 14, 1981, 1986–1989, 1990–1996 )
  - Prime Minister Kåre Willoch (October 14, 1981–1986)

Austria
- Head of State: Federal President Rudolf Kirchschläger (1974–1986)
- Head of Government: Federal Chancellor Bruno Kreisky (1970–1983)

Poland
- Party leader:
  - 1st Secretary Stanisław Kania (1980–18 October 1981)
  - 1. Secretary Wojciech Jaruzelski (October 18, 1981–1989) (Head of State 1985–1990) (Prime Minister 1981–1986)
- Head of State: Chairman of the Council of State Henryk Jabłoński (1972–1985)
- Head of Government:
  - Prime Minister Józef Pińkowski (1980–9 February 1981)
  - Prime Minister Wojciech Jaruzelski (February 9, 1981–1985) (1981–1989 party leader) (1985–1990 head of state)

Portugal
- Head of State: President Ramalho Eanes (1976–1986)
- Head of Government:
  - Deputy Prime Minister Diogo Freitas do Amaral (1980–9 January 1981) (acting)
  - Prime Minister Francisco Pinto Balsemão (January 9, 1981–1983)

Romania
- Party leader: General Secretary Nicolae Ceaușescu (1965–1989) (1967–1989 Head of State)
- Head of State: Chairman of the Council of State Nicolae Ceaușescu (1967–1989) (1965–1989 party leader)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Ilie Verdeț (1979–1982)

San Marino
- Head of State: Capitani Reggenti
  - Giancarlo Berardi (October 1, 1980– April 1, 1981) and Rossano Zafferani (October 1, 1980– April 1, 1981, 1987–1988 )
  - Gastone Pasolini (April 1, 1981– October 1, 1981) and Maria Lea Pedini Angelini (April 1, 1981– October 1, 1981)
  - Mario Rossi (October 1, 1981– April 1, 1982) and Ubaldo Biordi (October 1, 1981– April 1, 1982, 1985–1986 )

Sweden
- Head of State: King Carl XVI. Gustaf (since 1973)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Thorbjörn Fälldin ( 1976–1978 , 1979–1982)

Switzerland
- Federal President : Kurt Furgler ( 1977 , 1981, 1985 )
- Federal Council :
  - Kurt Furgler (1972–1986)
  - Hans Hürlimann (1974–1982)
  - Georges-André Chevallaz (1974-1983)
  - Willi Ritschard (1974–1983)
  - Fritz Honegger (1978–1982)
  - Pierre Aubert (1978–1987)
  - Leon Schlumpf (1980–1987)

Soviet Union
- Party leader: General Secretary of the CPSU Leonid Brezhnev (1964–1982) (until 1966 first secretary) (1960–1964, 1977–1982 head of state)
- Head of State: Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet Leonid Brezhnev ( 1960–1964 , 1977–1982) (1964–1982 party leader)
- Head of Government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers Nikolai Tikhonov (1980–1985)

Spain
- Head of State: King Juan Carlos I (1975-2014)
- Head of Government:
  - Prime Minister Adolfo Suárez (1976–25 February 1981)
  - Prime Minister Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo (February 25, 1981–1982)

Czechoslovakia
- Party leader: Chairman Gustáv Husák (1969–1987) (1975–1989 President)
- Head of State: President Gustáv Husák (1975–1989) (1669–1987 party leader)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Lubomír Štrougal (1970–1988)

Hungary
- Party leader: General Secretary of the Party of Hungarian Working People János Kádár (1956–1988) (1956–1958, Prime Minister 1961–1965)
- Head of State: Chairman of the Presidential Council Pál Losonczi (1967–1987)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister György Lázár (1975–1987)

Vatican city
- Head of State: Pope John Paul II (1978-2005)
- Head of Government: Cardinal Secretary of State Agostino Casaroli (1979–1990)

United Kingdom
- Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II (since 1952) (crowned 1953)
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (1979–1990)

Republic of Cyprus
- Head of State and Government: President Spyros Kyprianou (1977–1988)

Remarks

↑ ^a ^b The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are areas that are directly under the British Crown. They are not part of the UK.
↑ The Federal Council is the collective head of state in Switzerland. The Federal President has the role of primus inter pares

[kronbesitz-1] The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are areas that are directly under the British Crown. They are not part of the UK.

[2] The Federal Council is the collective head of state in Switzerland. The Federal President has the role of primus inter pares