List of state leaders in 1544

This is a list of heads of state, heads of governments, and other rulers in the year 1544.

Africa

• Kingdom of Baguirmi – Lubatko (1536–1548)
• Ethiopian Empire – Gelawdewos (1540–1559)
• Kingdom of Kongo – Peter I, Manikongo (1543–1545)
• Sennar Sultanate – Nayil (1533/4 - 1550/1)
• Songhai Empire – Askia Ishaq I, Askia of the Songhai Empire (1539–1549)

Asia

• Aceh Sultanate, Alauddin al-Kahar (1539–1571)
• Ahom Kingdom – Suklenmung (1539–1552)
• Ayutthaya Kingdom (Siam) – Chairachathirat (1534–1546)
• China (Ming dynasty) - Jiajing Emperor (1521–1567)
• Jaffna Kingdom – Cankili I (1519–1561)
• Japan (Sengoku period)
  • Monarch – Emperor Go-Nara (1526–1557)
  • Ashikaga shogunate - Ashikaga Yoshiharu (1521–1546)
• Joseon (Korea) -
  1. Jungjong (1506–1544)
  2. Injong (1544–1545)
• Mughal Empire – Sher Shah Suri (1540–1545)
• Ryukyu Kingdom – Shō Sei (1527–1555)
• Safavid Empire – Tahmasp I, Shah of Iran (1524–1576)
• Sultanate of Sulu – Muizzul-Mutawadi-in (1527–1548)
• Vijayanagara Empire – Aliya Rama Raya (1542–1565)

Europe

• Crimean Khanate – Sahib I Giray (1532–1551)
• Kingdom of Denmark and Norway – Christian III (1534–1559)
  • Duchy of Schleswig – Adolphus (1544–1586), Christian III (1523–1559), and John II (1544–1580) in condominial rule
• Kingdom of England – Henry VIII (1509–1547)
• Kingdom of France – Francis I (1515–1547)
• Holy Roman Empire – Charles V (1519–1556)
  • Republic of Genoa – Andrea Centurione Pietrasanta, Doge of Genoa (1543–1545)
  • Duchy of Holstein – Adolphus (1544–1586), Christian III (1523–1559), and John II (1544–1580) in condominial rule
• Hungary -
  • Royal Hungary – Ferdinand I (1526–1564)
  • Eastern Hungarian Kingdom – John II Sigismund Zápolya (1540–1571)
• Moldavia – Petru Rareş, Voivode of Moldavia (1526–1538, 1540–1546)
• Kingdom of Navarre – Henry II d'Albret (1516–1555)
• Ottoman (Turkish) Empire – Suleiman the Magnificent (1520–1566)
• Papal States – Pope Paul III (1534–1549)
• Kingdom of Poland – Sigismund I the Old (1506–1548)
• Kingdom of Portugal and the Algarves – John III (1521–1557)
• Grand Duchy of Moscow – Ivan IV, the Terrible, Grand Prince of Moscow (1533/1547–1547/1584)
• Duchy of Savoy – Charles III (1504–1553)
• Kingdom of Scotland – Mary, Queen of Scots (1542–1567)
• Kingdom of Spain – Charles I (1516–1556)
• Kingdom of Sweden – Gustav I Vasa (1521–1560)
• Republic of Venice – Pietro Lando, Doge of Venice (1538–1545)