The 1981 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships (1981 WJHC) was the fifth edition of the Ice Hockey World Junior Championship and was held from December 27, 1980, until January 2, 1981.

The 1981 tournament divided participants into two divisions of four teams, each playing three games.

The top three teams in the A division won the gold, silver and bronze medals.

Austria was relegated to Pool B for the 1982 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

Switzerland was promoted to Pool A for the 1982 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.