Already The World's Top-Paid Leader, Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's Salary Set To Rise By Over 60%

Singapore PM Pay Hike: Singapore is set to significantly increase the salaries of its political leaders, with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong telling Parliament that the changes will push the pay of senior officials even higher. The increase reportedly follows a review by an independent committee and comes 15 years after Singapore last adjusted ministerial salaries.

PM Lawrence Wong’s Salary To Rise

Singapore’s Prime Minister, already the world’s highest-paid national leader, will also see his benchmark annual salary increase from Singapore Dollar 2.2 million (around Rs 16.5 crore) to SgD 3.6 million (around Rs 27 crore). The overall annual package is set to rise from about USD 1.7 million to USD 2.8 million from October 15. Wong stated that he plans to donate the full increase in his pay to charity for the next five years.

Serving political officeholders will receive a one-off adjustment of up to 9%, after which salaries will be adjusted according to performance and responsibilities. Political salary benchmarks have not changed for 15 years.

— Lawrence Wong (@LawrenceWongST) September 8, 2026

Deputy PM And Ministers To Get Higher Pay

The benchmark annual salary for Singapore’s deputy prime minister will rise from SgD 1.87 million (around Rs 14.02 crore) to SgD 3.06 million (around Rs 22.94 crore). Whereas Cabinet ministers will receive between SgD 1.80 million (around Rs 13.5 crore) and SgD 2.88 million (around Rs 21.59 crore), depending on their seniority and the responsibilities of their portfolios.

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Wong On Pay Raise

Wong acknowledged that political salaries remain a sensitive issue because the amounts are far higher than what most ordinary citizens earn. “Political salaries are a difficult and emotive issue…the sums involved are more than what most citizens earn, so I understand why Singaporeans scrutinise them closely, and why many feel strongly about the matter,” Wong said.

Singapore Defends High Political Salaries

The development comes as Singapore has long defended its high salaries for political leaders, saying they help attract capable people to government and ensure good governance. According to Wong, salary increases were recommended by an independent committee. Notably, Singapore has not changed ministerial salaries for 15 years and is regularly ranked among the world's least corrupt countries.

However, current office holders will not immediately receive the full new benchmark salaries. From October 15, existing office holders will receive a one-time salary adjustment of up to 9 percent, depending on factors such as their performance and individual circumstances. “Any subsequent changes will be based on individual performance and responsibilities,” said Wong.

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