List of Dutch Top 40 number-one singles of 1981
These hits topped the Dutch Top 40 in 1981.
| Issue Date | Song | Artist | Reference |
| 3 January | "Santa Maria"" | Roland Kaiser | |
| 10 January | "Lola " | The Kinks | |
| 17 January | "Lola " | The Kinks | |
| 24 January | "Lola " | The Kinks | |
| 31 January | "Lola " | The Kinks | |
| 7 February | "Shine up" | Doris D & the Pins  | |
| 14 February | "Shine up" | Doris D & the Pins | |
| 21 February | "Stars on 45 Medley" | Stars on 45 | |
| 28 February | "Stars on 45 Medley" | Stars on 45 | |
| 7 March | "Stars on 45 Medley" | Stars on 45 | |
| 14 March | "Stars on 45 Medley" | Stars on 45 | |
| 21 March | "In the Air Tonight" | Phil Collins | |
| 28 March | "In the Air Tonight" | Phil Collins | |
| 4 April | "In the Air Tonight" | Phil Collins | |
| 11 April | "Vienna" | Ultravox | |
| 18 April | "Vienna" | Ultravox | |
| 25 April | "Vienna" | Ultravox | |
| 2 May | "Angel of Mine" | Frank Duval | |
| 9 May | "Angel of Mine" | Frank Duval | |
| 16 May | "Making Your Mind Up" | Bucks Fizz | |
| 23 May | "Making Your Mind Up" | Bucks Fizz | |
| 30 May | "How 'Bout Us" | Champaign | |
| 6 June | "How 'Bout Us" | Champaign | |
| 13 June | "How 'Bout Us" | Champaign | |
| 20 June | "How 'Bout Us" | Champaign | |
| 27 June | "How 'Bout Us" | Champaign | |
| 4 July | "How 'Bout Us" | Champaign | |
| 11 July | "How 'Bout Us" | Champaign | |
| 18 July | "How 'Bout Us" | Champaign | |
| 25 July | "One Day in Your Life" | Michael Jackson | |
| 1 August | "One Day in Your Life" | Michael Jackson | |
| 8 August | "One Day in Your Life" | Michael Jackson | |
| 15 August | "One Day in Your Life" | Michael Jackson | |
| 22 August | "De Nederlandse sterre die strale overal" | Rubberen Robbie | |
| 29 August | "De Nederlandse sterre die strale overal" | Rubberen Robbie | |
| 5 September | "De Nederlandse sterre die strale overal" | Rubberen Robbie | |
| 12 September | "For Your Eyes Only" | Sheena Easton | |
| 19 September | "For Your Eyes Only" | Sheena Easton | |
| 26 September | "Why Tell Me Why" | Anita Meyer | |
| 3 October | "Why Tell Me Why" | Anita Meyer | |
| 10 October | "Why Tell Me Why" | Anita Meyer | |
| 17 October | "Why Tell Me Why" | Anita Meyer | |
| 24 October | "Why Tell Me Why" | Anita Meyer | |
| 31 October | "Why Tell Me Why" | Anita Meyer | |
| 7 November | "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" | The Police | |
| 14 November | "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" | The Police | |
| 21 November | "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" | The Police | |
| 28 November | "Pretend" | Alvin Stardust | |
| 5 December | "Pretend" | Alvin Stardust | |
| 12 December | "Under Pressure" | Queen & David Bowie | |
| 19 December | "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" | Diana Ross | |
| 26 December | "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" | Diana Ross |