"Receiving 3.8 Billion Won and Claiming 'High Pay Prevents Bribes'... The Country with the World's Top-Paid Prime Minister Plans 64% Salary Hike"

Prime Minister’s Salary Raised to KRW 3.8 Billion, Up KRW 1.5 Billion

Government Cites Talent Attraction, but Faces Backlash

The Prime Minister of Singapore, who receives the highest annual salary among world political leaders, will see his salary increase by more than 60%. The government has stated that increasing salaries for public officials is necessary to secure top talent. However, amid public concerns over job insecurity and rising living costs, criticism has emerged.

Marina Bay, Singapore. Photo is not related to specific content of the article. Photo by Singapore Tourism Board

According to the BBC on September 8 (local time), the Singaporean government plans to raise the salaries of the Prime Minister, cabinet ministers, and other public officials.

The salary increase for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong amounts to 1.4 million Singapore dollars (approximately 1.48 billion won). Prime Minister Wong has announced that he will donate the increased portion of his salary for the next five years to charity.

Prime Minister Wong explained that, to attract talented individuals, it is essential to increase ministers' salaries. The Singaporean government has previously stated that paying ministers high salaries helps prevent corruption.

However, there is significant concern in Singapore over job security and rising living costs, with many criticizing the proposed increases.

Singapore Prime Minister's Salary Reaches 3.8 Billion Won... Highest Among World Leaders

Prime Minister Wong currently receives the highest salary of any world leader, with an annual salary of 2.2 million Singapore dollars (approximately 2.326 billion won). With the upcoming increase, this will rise by about 63.6% to 3.6 million Singapore dollars (about 3.8 billion won).

The next highest-paid political leader is John Lee, Chief Executive of Hong Kong, earning approximately 719,000 dollars (about 961 million won), followed by Swiss President Guy Parmelin at 606,000 dollars (about 810 million won).

U.S. President Donald Trump’s annual salary is 400,000 dollars (about 534 million won), while UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham earns 230,000 dollars (about 307 million won).

On this day, Prime Minister Wong acknowledged that Singaporean cabinet ministers’ salaries are far higher than most citizens’ incomes, which has subjected them to scrutiny and criticism. The average monthly income in Singapore is 5,775 Singapore dollars (about 610,000 won).

However, Prime Minister Wong stated that he has faced difficulties persuading corporate executives and senior civil servants to enter politics.

He said, "While the government cannot match the existing incomes of some of these individuals, we should not unnecessarily raise economic barriers when they leave their careers to enter politics. I believe this measure will allow myself and future prime ministers to better persuade capable Singaporeans to participate and form the strongest possible team for the country."

The current base annual salary for ministers is about 1.1 million Singapore dollars (approximately 1.163 billion won). Under the new system, this will rise to about 1.2 million Singapore dollars (about 1.27 billion won).

Prime Minister Wong forecast that, as salaries increase based on performance, most ministers will receive about 1.35 million Singapore dollars (approximately 1.428 billion won) by the end of the current government’s term. Part of ministers’ compensation is determined by achieving national targets such as the unemployment rate, income growth rate, and GDP growth rate.

“High Salaries Prevent Corruption,” Yet Public Is Discontent Amid Job Insecurity

High ministerial salaries have long been a burden for the People’s Action Party (PAP), which has ruled Singapore since independence. The BBC noted, "In the 2011 general election, the People’s Action Party saw its lowest vote share in decades, with voter dissatisfaction partially attributed to ministers’ salaries and immigration policies."

The Singaporean government has cited its consistently high ranking in Transparency International’s annual Corruption Perceptions Index as evidence that the salary system for ministers works effectively. The logic is that high salaries reduce ministers’ temptation to accept bribes.

However, with average citizen income falling far short of ministers’ pay, dissatisfaction surrounding high compensation endures.

The announcement of the pay increase has also sparked criticism. Local online forums saw numerous complaints that, with concerns over layoffs, job-seeking struggles among university graduates, and price hikes, the salary increase seems out of touch with reality. According to government statistics, Singapore’s number of layoffs last quarter was the highest in more than five years.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.