Top 10 Most Powerful Political Figures in the World in 2022

Pope Francis is one of the most influential figures on the planet. As the head of the Roman Catholic Church, he serves as God's representative on Earth and spiritual leader to over 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide.

Regarded as the only absolute monarch in the world today, Pope Francis is protected by international conventions and United Nations regulations, meaning no court can try him. However, should a pope resign, as Pope Benedict XVI did, he would lose his immunity from legal action. Pope Benedict XVI retired to live in the Vatican after his resignation. According to the laws of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis holds supreme, direct, and universal authority over the souls of the 1.2 billion Catholics across the globe. The pope has the power to make decisions on personal matters such as marriage, contraception, abortion, and euthanasia. As the leader of Vatican City, Pope Francis is also a head of state. Only the pope has the authority to appoint bishops to dioceses around the world. Despite Vatican City's small size and its non-commercial economy, Pope Francis and the Vatican hold significant global influence. Pope Francis is consistently listed among the world's most powerful and influential individuals by TIME and Forbes.

Pope Benedict XVI was named to TIME's Top 100 list three times, in 2007, 2009, and 2011. Pope John Paul II, the 264th pope, was recognized by TIME as one of the four most influential people of the 20th century and the early 21st century.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not come from a prestigious family background like many of his predecessors. His father was a tea vendor at a small railway station in Gujarat, Western India. Modi's rise to power is almost superhuman, as he lifted his country from the brink of decline, which has made him one of the most powerful figures in India.

As a young man, he joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the world’s largest voluntary organization at the time, where he developed a strong sense of Hindu nationalism that would shape his future political career. Despite facing numerous controversies, Modi served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014, during which he implemented economic reforms that transformed the state, accelerating its development at an impressive pace. Many experts argue that India under Modi has undergone significant positive changes. He has focused on two major breakthroughs: reviving sustainable economic growth and tackling corruption, with a commitment to building an efficient and transparent government that works for the people. Modi's policies have raised India's global stature, turning it into an emerging world power. He also encouraged foreign businesses to invest in India by simplifying bureaucratic processes and creating a more business-friendly environment. In 2014, he launched the 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' (Clean India Campaign), aimed at improving sanitation and constructing millions of toilets in rural areas.

Furthermore, Narendra Modi is a pioneer among political leaders in utilizing social media to engage directly with citizens. He frequently uses his personal Twitter account as a platform to share his thoughts, updates, and respond to feedback from the public.

In recent years, there has been speculation that the true ruler of Saudi Arabia is Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, the son of the king. The Crown Prince is believed to be leading the nation with several reforms, including a new law allowing women to drive.

He is one of the most powerful figures in Saudi Arabia, continuously implementing harsh and often controversial laws in the country.

Additionally, the Crown Prince has limited the power of the religious police and increased women's access to cultural activities, such as attending concerts and football matches. However, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman has also faced criticism for cracking down on human rights protests and pursuing an aggressive foreign policy, particularly in Yemen, where Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the conflict has led to devastating humanitarian consequences. Since 2017, the 37-year-old Crown Prince has caused a rift within the Saudi royal family with a purge that confiscated assets from hundreds of members accused of corruption. More recently, several former high-ranking royal family members were arrested for allegedly opposing his consolidation of power. The 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, confirmed by the CIA as being ordered by Crown Prince Salman, further tarnished the Saudi royal family’s image and brought it under intense Western scrutiny.

The five men convicted of Khashoggi's murder were initially sentenced to death but were later released after his family reportedly forgave them. As for Crown Prince Salman, he has denied the CIA's investigations.

President Macron was born on December 21, 1977, in his hometown of Amiens, a small city in northern France, where he grew up with his younger brother and sister, raised by his parents, both of whom were doctors, Jean-Michel and Françoise Macron. Five years ago, Emmanuel Macron became the youngest president in French history at the age of 39, after a successful campaign that many initially thought would not succeed.

He continues to lead the second-largest economy in Europe after securing a second term as candidate for the La République En Marche (LREM) party, overcoming far-right contender Marine Le Pen of the National Rally (RN) party. Now, five months into his second term, President Emmanuel Macron aims to leave a legacy, but it’s unclear which path he will take. He promised a new era when re-elected in April, but new limitations on his power and ongoing crises have disrupted his agenda. At 44, Macron has set an ambitious vision: to create a new France at the heart of a strong, independent Europe, no longer reliant on fossil fuels, and no longer fearful of far-right movements taking power—a nation that can determine its own destiny in the 21st century. One thing is certain: Macron will continue to be a disruptor, as noted by the NYT.

For him, the end of excess now affects a world that is becoming increasingly unstable due to a power vacuum formed after the U.S. withdrawal. It would be irresponsible not to reassess everything, from strategic order to the creation of a carbon-free Europe.

Boris Johnson was born in New York City on June 19, 1964, and is affectionately called 'Al' by his family. His mother, Charlotte, encouraged him to pursue the arts, while his father focused on fostering a sense of competition in his children. The emphasis on winning led the young Johnson to set his sights on becoming the ruler of the world.

In a surprising turn of events, on July 13, 2016, Prime Minister Theresa May appointed Boris Johnson as the UK’s Foreign Secretary, despite their existing political differences. His appointment was met with criticism from foreign politicians and journalists, due to his controversial remarks about other countries. Johnson resigned in 2018 to protest May's Brexit deal with the European Union. US President Donald Trump praised him multiple times, calling him the best candidate to become the next Prime Minister of the UK. If Johnson were to occupy the number 10 Downing Street, the world would witness two leaders with similar traits, not just their shared hair color. He was elected as a Member of Parliament for Uxbridge and South Ruislip in 2015, having previously represented Henley from 2001 to 2008. He also served as Mayor of London from 2008 to 2016. On July 13, 2016, he was appointed Foreign Secretary, a position he held until 2018.

He resigned from the post on July 9, 2018, after serving as the UK's Foreign Secretary for two years. Johnson is known as a conservative nationalist politician and is associated with both economic and social liberal policies.

On December 8th, the German Bundestag elected Olaf Scholz as the 9th Chancellor of Germany, marking the beginning of a new era for Europe's largest economy following Angela Merkel's 16-year tenure. Scholz will officially be appointed Chancellor by the German President and will take the oath of office along with his new cabinet at the end of the day on December 8th.

Under Scholz’s leadership, the government is expected to focus on modernizing the country and combating climate change. However, as noted by AP, the new government will face immediate challenges, primarily dealing with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. With a vote of 395 to 303, Scholz officially became the new Chancellor of Germany. His coalition holds 416 out of the 736 seats in the Bundestag. Former Chancellor Merkel watched the vote from the spectator area, and the MPs warmly welcomed her at the start of the session. Scholz, 63, previously served as Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister of Germany since 2018. Observers expect his extensive experience and disciplined approach to strengthen the coalition between his Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens, and the Free Democratic Party (FDP). Scholz’s clear communication style and decisive actions, much like Merkel’s, contributed to his success in securing the position of Chancellor. He won the election by convincing voters that he would lead in a manner similar to the person he succeeded, Angela Merkel.

Characterized by clarity, precision, and a lack of any overt gestures of triumph, Scholz not only mirrors his predecessor’s demeanor but has adopted Merkel’s calm, composed mannerisms, often clasping his hands in the diamond shape—a signature gesture of Merkel.

Former Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida emerged victorious in the race for the presidency of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), defeating three other candidates after two rounds of voting on September 29.

At 64 years old, Kishida was born in Hiroshima into a family with a strong political legacy, with both his father and grandfather having served as politicians. In addition, he briefly held the position of Acting Minister of Defense from late July to early August 2017. After leaving the cabinet in 2017, Kishida took on the role of chairman of the LDP’s Policy Research Council, the party’s primary policy-making body. Kishida had been seen as a possible successor to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who resigned in September the previous year, but he was defeated by Prime Minister Suga in the race for the LDP presidency at that time. In his second attempt, Kishida secured a convincing victory over the remaining three candidates to become the new leader of the LDP. He is aligned with the moderate Kochikai faction within the LDP and is known for being less enthusiastic about revising Japan's constitution. Kishida’s key economic policy focuses on a modernized version of the post-war plan to double the income of the middle class, a strategy originally implemented in the 1960s under former Prime Minister Hayato Ikeda. During his recent election campaign, while praising the success of Abenomics, the economic policies of former Prime Minister Abe, and committing to their continuation, Kishida also pointed out that the benefits of Abenomics have been concentrated in a few companies, increasing inequality.

Xi Jinping is widely regarded as China’s most powerful leader since Deng Xiaoping. While many observers expected his power to grow following the 20th Party Congress, Xi surpassed even these expectations, achieving a resounding victory that solidified his control. This success underscores that Xi holds the most power in China, overseeing the governance of the world's largest population.

At 69 years old, Xi Jinping has secured a third term as General Secretary of the Communist Party and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and is set to reaffirm his position as President in March. Born in Shaanxi Province, Xi graduated from Tsinghua University in 1979, one of China’s most prestigious universities, and earned his PhD in 2002. He has held key positions such as Party Secretary of Zhejiang Province, Party Secretary of Shanghai, and Vice President of China. In November 2012, Xi became General Secretary of the Communist Party and Chairman of the Central Military Commission. He was re-elected for a second term during the 19th Party Congress in 2017 and has served as President since March 2013. Under Xi’s leadership, China has made significant strides in poverty reduction. In 2013, 82 million people lived in extreme poverty, according to World Bank data; by 2019, this number had dropped to just 6 million. The wealth of Chinese families has seen a remarkable rise, with urban household income increasing by 66% from 2013 to 2020, while rural household incomes grew by 82% in the same period.

China has also made major advancements in its space program and infrastructure development. A defining aspect of Xi’s leadership has been his anti-corruption campaign, which has led to the investigation of nearly 5 million Party members, with 553 facing criminal prosecution.

Vladimir Putin was born in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) on October 7, 1952. His father was a submarine sailor, and his mother worked as a factory worker. Today, Putin is regarded as the central figure of Russia, holding immense power and having played a crucial role in transforming Russia into a prosperous nation.

Having assumed leadership during difficult times, Putin not only maintained Russia’s unity but also led the country to emerge as a global superpower with a robust economy, a growing industrial base, and a formidable military. Under his leadership, Russia proved resilient and difficult to defeat. Over the course of nearly 18 years, President Putin has restored Russia’s standing on the world stage. The 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics marked Russia’s resurgence, and that same year, the annexation of Crimea sparked a wave of patriotic sentiment, boosting Putin’s approval rating to nearly 90%, according to Levada Centre polls. Much of Putin’s private life remains a well-guarded secret, though some details have been disclosed by the Kremlin. According to the Kremlin, Putin is fluent in both German and English, and he has two daughters: Maria, born in 1985, and Katerina, born in 1986. He divorced his wife some years ago. A physically fit man, President Putin is known for his active participation in physically demanding activities, such as extinguishing forest fires in Ryazan, diving deep into Lake Baikal and the Black Sea, racing a Formula 1 car, testing a Su-27 fighter jet, and piloting a Tu-160 strategic bomber.

Many admire President Putin for his remarkable work ethic. His days at the Kremlin often stretch into the early hours of the morning, despite his busy travel schedule. Even more impressive, he still manages to maintain his personal health and fitness.

Joe Biden was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania on November 20, 1942. He is the eldest of four children in a family of Irish-American descent. Currently, Biden serves as the President of the United States, wielding significant authority over one of the world's most powerful nations. With this immense power, he leads the country toward becoming even stronger on the global stage.

Joe Biden, the former Vice President under President Barack Obama, has expressed his intention to build upon Obama's legacy and unite a divided America during these challenging times. After more than 50 years in politics and over three decades of striving toward his dream of becoming the president, Biden’s victory in the 2020 election made him the new leader of the United States. One of Biden’s biggest obstacles as a young man was overcoming a stutter, which affected his speech during his school years. However, with persistent practice, including techniques like speaking in front of a mirror, he overcame the challenge in just a few months. About 20 years after his first presidential campaign, Biden made another attempt in 2008, but it was unsuccessful. Then, on August 23, 2008, Barack Obama announced that he had selected Biden as his running mate. Biden went on to serve as Vice President for two terms under Obama from 2009 to 2017.

One of the most emotional moments in Biden's career came in January 2017 when President Obama surprised him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor a civilian can receive in the United States. Biden was overwhelmed by the gesture and couldn’t hold back his tears.