1159 state leaders - Events of 1160 - 1161 state leaders - State leaders by year

Africa

Asia

• China (Jin Dynasty) - Hailingwang, Emperor of Jin China (1149-1161)
• China (Southern Song Dynasty) - Gaozong, Emperor of Song China (1127-1162)
• Japan
  • Monarch - Emperor Nijō, emperor of Japan (1158-1165)
  • Regent (Kampaku) - Fujiwara no Motozane, Kampaku (1158-1165); Sessho (1165-1166)
  • de facto - Taira no Kiyomori (1159-1181)
• Kara-Khitan Khanate (Western Liao) - Renzong, Emperor of Western Liao (1150-1164)
• Korea (Goryeo Dynasty) - Euijong, King of Goryeo (1146-1170)
• Western Xia - Renzong, Emperor of Western Xia (1139-1193)

Europe

• Aragon - Petronila, Queen of Aragon (1137-1162)
• Castile - Alfonso VIII, King of Castile (1158-1214)
• England - Henry II, King of England (1154 - 1189)
• France - Louis VII, King of France (1137-1180)
• Holy Roman Empire - Frederick I Barbarossa, Holy Roman Emperor (1155-1190)
  • Holland - Floris III, Count of Holland (1157-1190)
• Hungary - Géza II, King of Hungary (1141-1161)
• Scotland - Malcolm IV (1153-1165)
• Sicily - William I King of Sicily (1154-1166)
• Wales (List of rulers of Wales)
  • Gwynedd - Owain Gwynedd, Prince of Gwynedd (1137-1170)
  • Deheubarth - Rhys ap Gruffydd, Prince of Deheubarth (1155-1197)