| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Host country | Ecuador |
| Dates | 15 February – 8 March |
| Teams | 9 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions |  Uruguay (7th title) |
| Runners-up |  Brazil |
| Third place |  Argentina |
| Fourth place |  Bolivia |
The South American Youth Championship 1981 was held in Guayaquil and Quito, Ecuador. It also served as qualification for the 1981 FIFA World Youth Championship.