List of state leaders in 1181

This is a list of heads of state, government leaders, and other rulers in the year 1181.

Asia

• China (Jin dynasty) - Emperor Shizong (1161–1189)
• China (Southern Song dynasty) - Emperor Xiaozong (1162–1189)
• Japan (Heian period)
  • Monarch – Emperor Antoku (1180–1183)
  • Cloistered ruler - Emperor Go-Shirakawa, Jōkō of Japan (1158–1192)
  • de facto -
    1. Taira no Kiyomori (1159–1181)
    2. Taira no Munemori (1181–1185)
• Kara-Khitan Khanate (Western Liao) - Yelü Zhilugu (1178–1211)
• Khmer Empire – Jayavarman VII (Mahaparamasangata?) (1181–1220?)
• Korea (Goryeo Kingdom)
  • Monarch – Myeongjong (1170–1197)
  • de facto - Gyeong Dae-seung (1179–1183)
• Sultanate of Rûm – Kilij Arslan II (1156–1192)
• Western Xia – Emperor Renzong (1139–1193)

Europe

• Kingdom of Aragon – Alfonso II (1162–1196)
• Kingdom of Castile – Alfonso VIII (1158–1214)
• Kingdom of Denmark – Valdemar I (1157–1182)
• Kingdom of England – Henry II (1154–1189)
• Kingdom of France – Philip II (1180–1223)
• Holy Roman Empire – Frederick I Barbarossa (1152–1190)
  • Prince-Archbishopric of Bremen – Siegfried, Count of Anhalt (1180–1184)
  • County of Holland – Floris III (1157–1190)
• Kingdom of Hungary – Béla III (1172–1196)
• Kingdom of Norway – Magnus V (1161–1184)
• Kingdom of Portugal – Afonso I Henriques (1128–1185)
• Serbian Grand Principality – Stefan Nemanja (1168–1196)
• Kingdom of Scotland – William the Lion (1165–1214)
• Kingdom of Sicily – William II (1166–1189)
• Kingdom of Sweden – Canute I (1167–1195)