Back Kanurennsport-Weltmeisterschaften 1978 German Campeonato Mundial de Piragüismo en Aguas Tranquilas de 1978 Spanish Championnats du monde de course en ligne de canoë-kayak de 1978 French 1978-as síkvízi kajak-kenu világbajnokság Hungarian Campionati mondiali di canoa/kayak 1978 Italian VM i padling 1978 NB Mistrzostwa Świata w Kajakarstwie 1978 Polish Чемпионат мира по гребле на байдарках и каноэ 1978 Russian Светско првенство у кајаку и кануу на мирним водама 1978. Serbian Sprintvärldsmästerskapen i kanotsport 1978 Swedish
The 1978 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships were held in Belgrade, Yugoslavia for a record third time. The Yugoslavian (now Serbian) city had previously hosted the championships in 1971 and 1975.
The men's competition consisted of six Canadian (single paddle, open boat) and nine kayak events. Three events were held for the women, all in kayak.
This was the fourteenth championships in canoe sprint.