Singapore’s high ministerial salaries under scrutiny in parliament this week

Singapore's top political salaries face renewed scrutiny in parliament this week, with the prime minister earning S$2.2 million a year and a junior minister receiving S$1.1 million. The figures make Singapore's political leaders the highest-paid in the world.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Coordinating Minister for Public Services Chan Chun Sing are due to give the government's response on Tuesday to a committee's recommendations on ministerial salaries. Lawmakers will debate the issue later in the week.

The salaries have not changed since 2012, when ministers accepted a 36% pay cut after public concern over their earnings. A government review in 2017 did not result in a recommended increase, while a second review, due in 2023, was deferred because of economic uncertainty.

The issue remains politically sensitive in a country where median income stood at S$5,775 in 2025. Inflation reached 2% in July, and the central bank expects it to remain elevated until the second half of 2027. Data from PoliticalSalaries.com puts the Hong Kong chief executive's annual pay at $719,000, followed by the Swiss president at $606,000. The British prime minister earns $230,000, while U.S. President Donald Trump earns $400,000.

Singapore bases ministerial salaries on the earnings of the country's top 1,000 earners. The Public Service Division says their qualities and abilities "reflect the desired calibre of the people whom Singapore needs for good government." The government says high pay helps attract talent and prevent corruption. Senior-official graft has been rare, although former transport minister S. Iswaran was jailed in 2024 for obstructing justice and receiving gifts worth more than $300,000.

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reflect the desired calibre of the people whom Singapore needs for good government