List of state leaders in 438

Africa

*Kingdom of the Vandals and Alans - Geiseric, King of the Vandals and Alans (428-477)

America

*Palenque - "Casper", Ajaw of Palenque (435-487)
*Teotihuacan - Spearthrower Owl/Atlatl Cauac, Emperor of Teotihuacan (374-439)
*Tikal - Siyah Chan K'awil II , King of Tikal (411-456)

Asia

*China (Southern and Northern Dynasties) -
** Liu Song Dynasty - Emperor Wen, Emperor of Liu Song (424-453)
** Northern Wei Dynasty - Emperor Tai Wu Di, Emperor of Northern Wei (424-452)
*Gupta Empire - Kumara Gupta I, Gupta Emperor (415-455)
*Japan (Kofun Era) - Emperor Ingyō, Emperor of Japan (c. 411-c. 453)
*Korea (Three Kingdoms) -
**Baekje - Biyu, King of Baekje (427-454)
**Goguryeo - Jangsu, King of Goguryeo (413-490)
**Silla - Nulji, King of Silla (417-458)
*Pallava
**Skanda Varman III, King of Pallava (400-438)
**Simha Varman II, King of Pallava (438-460)

Europe

*Burgundy - Gundioc, King of Burgundy (436-473)
*Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire - Theodosius II, Eastern Roman Emperor (408-450)
*Galicia (Gallaecia)
**Hermeric, Suebi King of Galicia (409-438)
**Rechila, Suebi King of Galicia (438-448)
*Hun Empire
**Bleda, King of the Huns (c.437-445)
**Atilla, King of the Huns (c.437-453)
*Ireland - Lóegaire mac Néill, High King of Ireland (c. 428-c. 458)
*Salian Franks - Clodio, King of Salian Franks (426-447)
*Visigoths - Theodoric I, King of the Visigoths (419-451)
*Western Roman Empire - Valentinian III, Western Roman Emperor (425-455)

Middle East

*Sassanid Empire
**Bahram V, Sassanid King (420-438)
**Yazdegerd II, Sassanid King (438-457)