Singapore PM proposes big salary increase for ministers

Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Tuesday his government has accepted an independent committee's recommendations for a sharp increase in ministerial salaries, which are already the ​highest in the world, Report informs via Reuters.

Singapore pays its political leaders high salaries to attract talent ‌and ensure good governance, and Wong told parliament a junior minister would now earn up to $S1.8 million ($1.42 million) and his own salary would rise to S$3.6 million ($2.85 million).

High ministerial salaries are a sensitive issue among the ​population, where the median monthly income was just S$5,775 in 2025.

Wong said political office ​holders' salaries will start with a one-off adjustment of up to 9% ⁠rather than immediately hitting the S$1.8 million benchmark.

A 9% adjustment brings the salary of a ​junior minister to about S$1.2 million and there will be no further "special adjustments" to reach S$1.8 ​million, said Wong, adding that subsequent changes would be based on individual performance and responsibilities.

For the next five years, Wong will donate the full increase in his salary to charity, which amounts to S$1.4 million.

The high salaries are ​meant to attract top talent and prevent corruption in a city-state that prides itself on ​its image of clean governance. Cases of graft by senior officials have been rare.

"This is not just a ‌matter ⁠of pay. It is ultimately about whether Singapore will continue to have the quality of political leadership we need to take our country forward and to serve Singaporeans well in the years ahead," Wong said in a ministerial statement to parliament before announcing the proposal.