List of state leaders in 481

Africa

*Kingdom of the Vandals and Alans - Huneric, King of the Vandals and Alans (477-484)

America

*Palenque - "Casper", Ajaw of Palenque (435-487)

Asia

*China (Southern and Northern Dynasties) -
** Southern Qi Dynasty - Emperor Gao, Emperor of Qi (479-482)
** Northern Wei Dynasty - Emperor Xiaowen, Emperor of Northern Wei (471-499)
*Gupta Empire - Buddha Gupta, Gupta Emperor (477-496)
*Japan (Kofun Era) - Emperor Seinei, Emperor of Japan (c.480-c.484)
*Korea (Three Kingdoms) -
**Baekje - Dongseong, King of Baekje (479-501)
**Goguryeo - Jangsu, King of Goguryeo (413-490)
**Silla - Soji, King of Silla (479-500)
*Pallava - Nandi Varman I, King of Pallava (480-500)

Europe

*Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy - Aelle, Bretwalda (c.477-c.514)
**South Saxons - Aelle, King of the South Saxons (c.477-c.514)
**Kent
***Hengest, King of Kent (c. 455-488)
***Horsa, King of Kent (c. 455-488)
*Burgundy
** Gundobad, King of Burgundy (473-516)
** opposed by Gundomar, (473-486)
** and Godegisel, (473-500)
*Byzantine Empire - Zeno, Byzantine Emperor (476-491)

*Ireland - Lughaid mac Loeguire, High King of Ireland (479-503)
*Italy - Odoacer, King of Italy (476-493)
*Salian Franks
**Childeric I, King of Salian Franks (457-481)
**Clovis I, King of Salian Franks (481-509)
*Visigoths - Euric, King of the Visigoths (466-484)

Middle East

*Sassanid Empire - Peroz I, Sassanid King (457-484)