Ranked: The World Leaders That Have Held Power the Longest

The World Leaders That Have Held Power the Longest

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In the spring of 2024, Vladimir Putin was re-elected as Russia’s president, extending his nearly 25-year rule.

Putin’s rise to power in 2000 ushered in a new political era, following the leadership of former Communist Party official Boris Yeltsin. Like him, many of the world’s longest-serving leaders maintain power through fraudulent elections, systemic oppression, and autocratic control.

This graphic shows the longest serving world leaders as of 2025, based on data from Statista.

Which Leaders Have Been in Power for Decades?

Below, we show the longest-serving non-royal leaders. These figures represent total years in power, with some leaders changing positions such as Prime Minister and President.

Cameroon’s Paul Biya is on track to become the longest-serving leader since the start of the 20th century, following closely behind Cuba’s Fidel Castro, who held power for 52 years.

At 92, Biya has yet to confirm whether he will seek an eighth term in Cameroon’s 2025 general election, though many expect him to run. His rule has been marked by political repression, corruption, and deadly violence.

Overall, seven of the 12 longest-serving leaders are based in Africa, with a combined tenure of 256 years.

In Europe, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko leads with 31 years in power. In January, Lukashenko “won” 87% of the vote, a record share for the country. While the 2020 presidential election sparked upheaval, the most recent election was less turbulent.

Today, many citizens credit him for staying out of the Russian-Ukraine war. Meanwhile, wage growth has risen significantly, supported by Russian defense orders.

As the world’s third-longest-serving ruler, Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei rose to power in 1989 as a revolutionary ideologue. Under his leadership, Iran has expanded its nuclear program while maintaining long-standing hostility toward the U.S. and Israel.

At 85, speculation about his succession has intensified, especially after the death of President Ebrahim Raisi—once considered a leading contender—leaving Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba, as a possible successor.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

To learn more about this topic from a historical perspective, check out this graphic on all the leaders of Russia, China, and America since 1975.