1179 state leaders - Events of 1180 - 1181 state leaders - State leaders by year

Africa

Asia

• China (Jin Dynasty) - Shizong, Emperor of Jin China (1161-1189)
• China (Southern Song Dynasty) - Xiaozong, Emperor of Song China (1162-1189)
• Japan
  • Monarch -
    1. Emperor Takakura, emperor of Japan (1168-1180)
    2. Emperor Antoku, emperor of Japan (1180-1183)
  • de facto - Taira no Kiyomori (1159-1181)
• Kara-Khitan Khanate (Western Liao) - Yelü Zhilugu, Emperor of Western Liao (1178-1211)
• Korea (Goryeo Dynasty) - Myeongjong, King of Goryeo (1170-1197)
• Western Xia - Renzong, Emperor of Western Xia (1139-1193)

Europe

• Aragon - Alfonso II, King of Aragon (1162-1196)
• Castile - Alfonso VIII, King of Castile (1158-1214)
• England - Henry II, King of England (1154-1189)
• France -
  1. Louis VII, King of France (1137-1180)
  2. Philip II, King of France (1180-1223)
• Holy Roman Empire - Frederick I Barbarossa, Holy Roman Emperor (1152-1190)
  • Holland - Floris III, Count of Holland (1157-1190)
• Hungary - Béla III, King of Hungary (1172-1196)
• Scotland - William I, King of Scotland (1165-1214)
• Sicily - William II King of Sicily (1166-1189)