Key facts
- Singapore's parliament is set to debate ministerial salaries this week.
- The country's political leaders receive the highest salaries globally.
- A junior minister earns S$1,100,000 annually, and the prime minister earns S$2,200,000.
- Salaries have not been adjusted since a 36% pay cut in 2012.
- The government will respond to a committee's recommendations on ministerial pay.
Top ministers in Singapore are set to discuss ministerial salaries in parliament this week, a topic that is closely watched in the city-state. Singapore's political leaders receive the highest salaries globally, with a junior minister earning S$1,100,000 annually and the prime minister S$2,200,000. These salaries have not been adjusted since 2012, when ministers accepted a 36% pay cut amid public discontent. The high pay is intended to attract top talent and deter corruption, with cases of graft among senior officials being rare. However, the salaries remain a sensitive issue for the population, where the median income was S$5,775 in 2025 and inflation reached 2% in July. A review of salaries, originally due in 2023, was deferred due to economic uncertainty. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Coordinating Minister for Public Services Chan Chun Sing will present the government's response to a committee's recommendations, followed by a debate among lawmakers later in the week. Singapore benchmarks ministerial pay against the top 1,000 earners in the country, citing the need for a similar calibre of individuals for good governance.