List of state leaders in 261

Africa

*Kush - Tegerideamani II, King of Kush (246-266?)

Asia

*Bactria and Gandhara - Peroz I, Kushanshah (c.250-265)
*Baekje - Goi, King of Baekje (234-286)
*Chera - Perumkadungo, King of Chera (257-287)
*Gaya - Mapum, King of Gaya (259-291)
*Goguryeo - Jungcheon, King of Goguryeo (248-270)
*Gupta Empire - Maharaja Sri-Gupta, King of the Gupta Empire (240-280)
*Iberia -
**Mithridates II Mihrdat, King of Iberia (249-265)
**Amazasp III, King of Iberia (260-265)
*Kushan Empire - Kanishka III, King of the Kushans (255-275)
*Persia - Shapur I of Persia, King of Persia (241-272)
**Armenia - Artavazde VI, King of Armenia (252-283)
*Shu Han - Liu Shan, Emperor of Shu Han (223-263)
*Silla - Cheomhae, King of Silla (247-261)
*Tuoba - Tuoba Liwei, Chieftain of the Tuoba clan (219-277)
*Wei - Cao Huan, Emperor of Wei (260-265)
*Western Kshatrapas - Rudrasen II (256-278)
*Wu - Sun Xiu, Emperor of Wu (258-264)

Europa

*Gallic Empire - Postumus, Emperor (260-268)
*Roman Empire -
**Gallienus, Roman Emperor (253-268)
**Pretender: Macrianus Major in the East (260-261)
**Pretender: Macrianus Minor in the East (260-261)
**Pretender: Quietus in the East (260-261)
**Pretender: Mussius Aemilianus in Egypt (261-261/262)
***Palmyra - Odaenathus (bef. 258-267)