The Longest Serving World Leaders: An Overview of Presidents, Monarchs, and Prime Ministers
Leadership is a complex term that means different things to different people. To some, it’s a position of power and influence over society; to others, it’s a role of inspiration and guidance. For all, though, it suggests a sense of longevity in the role, trustworthiness, and dependability.
At the same time, the notion of a leader who has served for an extended period of time may seem too good to be true. There are, however, a select few from around the world who have far surpassed the average political career and held onto their titles for years, even decades. Here, we take an in-depth look into the longest serving world leaders in history and their outstanding tenures.
Who Are the Longest Serving World Leaders?
The longest serving world leader in history is Kim Jong-il of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, a title he held for 17 years, until his death in 2011. Muammar Gaddafi of Libya held his title for over 42 years, and Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan, who held his title until 2019, served for 28 years.
The longest serving world leader in the Americas is Joaquín Balaguer of the Dominican Republic, who served for 22 years between 1966 and 1996. Meanwhile, in Europe, the longest serving world leader was Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, who served for 38 years and gave up his power in 2019.
In Africa, the longest serving leader was Yahya Jammeh of The Gambia, who served for 22 years until 2017. Hosni Mubarak of Egypt held his title for 31 years, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe for 37, and Paul Biya of Cameroon for 37.
In Asia, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom of the Maldives served for 30 years, while Hun Sen of Cambodia served for 34.
In Oceana, the longest serving leader is Peter Mote of the Federated States of Micronesia, who has held his title since 1999, followed by Chris Sean of the Marshall Islands, who has served since 2008.
A Closer Look Into the Longest Serving World Leaders
Kim Jong-il – 17 Years
Kim Jong-il served as the leader of North Korea from 1994 to 2011, when he died of a heart attack. During his tenure, he implemented a militaristic and totalitarian rule over North Korea and maintained a hardline communist stance towards his people and his allies.
He was known for his eccentric style of dressing, his notorious brutality, and his aggressive foreign policies. He also used threats of nuclear war to maintain power and ensure his nation’s political autonomy. Kim’s son, Kim Jong-un currently serves as leader of North Korea.
Muammar Gaddafi – 42 Years
Muammar Gaddafi, also known as “Colonel Gaddafi”, was the leader of Libya from 1969 to 2011. He was a powerful autocrat in North Africa, who rose to power via a bloodless military coup in 1969 and stayed in power through repressive measures and a mix of national socialism and Islamic fundamentalism.
Gaddafi’s rule was marked by extreme human rights abuses and the widespread use of corruption and fear tactics. In 2011, he was overthrown and subsequently killed in a NATO-led operation.
Nursultan Nazarbayev – 28 Years
Nursultan Nazarbayev served as the President of Kazakhstan from 1991 to 2019. He rose to prominence with his role in the Soviet Union’s collapse and was best known for leading Kazakhstan’s transition from a socialist to a capitalist economy. He focused on developing Kazakhstan’s economy and establishing trading agreements with other countries.
He also established diplomatic ties between Kazakhstan and its neighboring countries and communities, while prioritizing the development of science, medicine, and education. Kazakhstan is currently in the process of transitioning to a new president after Nazarbayev relinquished his powers.
Joaquín Balaguer – 22 Years
Joaquín Balaguer was the President of the Dominican Republic from 1966 to 1996. He was known for his authoritarian rule, which he used to maintain political and economic stability in the country. He was also a staunch anti-Communist and often worked with the United States to counter left-wing political movements in Central America.
Balaguer was also involved in several scandals related to electoral fraud, human rights abuses, and corruption. However, he is credited with helping to build up the infrastructure of the country during his time in office.
Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo – 38 Years
Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo was the leader of Equatorial Guinea from 1979 to 2019. During his rule, he implemented a government based on patronage, along with a lack of press freedom and restrictions on opposition activities.
He was accused of numerous human rights abuses and was perceived as having capitalized on the country’s oil wealth to enrich himself and his family. Obiang stepped down in 2019 and handed power over to his son, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mangue.
Yahya Jammeh – 22 Years
Yahya Jammeh was the leader of The Gambia from 1994 to 2017. He rose to power after leading a military coup that overthrew the government of Dawda Jawara and remained in office through a combination of authoritarian rule and rigged elections.
Jammeh was accused of numerous human rights abuses, including unlawful killings, torture, and forced disappearances committed by his security forces. After losing an election in 2017, Jammeh was forced out of office, and Adama Barrow assumed his role.
Hosni Mubarak – 31 Years
Hosni Mubarak was the President of Egypt from 1981 until 2011. He was seen as a secular leader in a Muslim majority nation, and his time in office was largely seen as a success for Egypt, as Mubarak sought to modernize the country by encouraging foreign investment and continued the peace process with Israel.
However, his administration was marked by a lack of democracy, as well as economic stagnation, increasing poverty levels, and human rights abuses. In 2011, Mubarak stepped down and was tried in court on various corruption and human rights charges.
Robert Mugabe – 37 Years
Robert Mugabe was the leader of Zimbabwe from 1980 to 2017. He initially rose to power as a leader of the struggle against white minority rule and was viewed as a champion of African values and traditions.
However, during his rule, Zimbabwe was plagued by economic mismanagement, high unemployment levels, human rights abuses, and the destruction of the country’s infrastructure. In 2017, Mugabe was overthrown after a military coup and Emmerson Mnangagwa assumed his role.
Paul Biya – 37 Years
Paul Biya has served as the President of Cameroon since 1982. He rose to power after the death of former president Ahmadou Ahidjo, and is the second longest serving head of state in Africa.
During his time in office, Biya has been criticized for consolidating power around himself, silencing opposition and disregarding the rule of law, as well as for corruption and the use of the military and security forces against his own citizens. In 2012, Biya was reelected with over 77% of the vote, a sign of his continued popularity.
Maumoon Abdul Gayoom – 30 Years
Maumoon Abdul Gayoom held the title of President of the Maldives from 1978 to 2008, making him the longest serving monarch in the country. During his time in office, he modernized the economy and increased literacy levels, while also building up tourism in the Maldives.
Although he is credited with the development of the local economy, Gayoom was accused of clamping down on dissent and censoring the media, and his rule is deemed by many to be authoritarian.
Hun Sen – 34 Years
Hun Sen is the current Prime Minister of Cambodia, having held the post since 1985. He is the longest serving head of state in his country, and he has maintained power through a combination of patronage and intimidation tactics.
Sen is widely accused of human rights abuses and of suppressing dissent and democratic forces in Cambodia. He was re-elected in 2018 in a largely corporate election amid allegations of vote-rigging and irregularities.
Peter Mote – 21 Years
Peter Mote, President of the Federated States of Micronesia since 1999, is the longest serving world leader in Oceana. During his tenure, he has placed an emphasis on developing the local economy and promoting the interests of the islanders, as well as maintaining cordial relationships with its regional allies.
Mote has also been an advocate for sustainable development and climate change mitigation. He is currently serving his fourth and final term in office and is set to retire in 2021.
Chris Sean – 12 Years
Chris Loeak is the current President of the Marshall Islands and the longest serving world leader in Oceana. He has held his post since 2008 and is credited with leading his country through a period of transition. Loeak is widely praised for his handling of diplomatic relations and his role in promoting economic growth.
