Note: these names and orderings are as they originally appeared in Track & Field News and Track Newsletter and do not reflect any changes in name or nation, or any subsequent drug DQs. Composites for 1947–2002 will be added at a later date.
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2021 |
| No World Rankings in pandemic 2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2018 |
| 2017 |
| 2016 |
| 2015 |
| 2014 |
| 2013 |
| 2012 |
| 2011 |
| 2010 |
| 2009 |
| 2008 |
| 2007 |
| 2006 |
| 2005 |
| 2004 |
| 2003 |
© Track & Field News 1948–2022