The 1981 Annual World's Best SF is an anthology of science fiction short stories edited by Donald A. Wollheim and Arthur W. Saha, the tenth volume in a series of nineteen.

It was first published in paperback by DAW Books in May 1981, followed by a hardcover edition issued in August of the same year by the same publisher as a selection of the Science Fiction Book Club.

The book collects ten novellas, novelettes and short stories by various science fiction authors, with an introduction by Wollheim.

"Variation on a Theme from Beethoven" placed ninth in the 1981 Locus Poll Award for Best Novelette.

"Prime Time" placed eleventh in the 1981 Locus Poll Award for Best Short Story.