Singapore PM’s Salary Raised To Rs 26.9 Crore: How Much Do US Prez Trump, India’s PM Modi Earn?

Last Updated:September 09, 2026, 5:25 PM IST

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is the highest paid govt head in the world: How his salary compares to US, UK, Australia and India’s leaders

(Clockwise from left, top) PM Narendra Modi, Singapore PM Lawrence Wong, US President Donald Trump.

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is set to see his benchmark annual salary rise by 64%, moving from S$2.2 million to S$3.6 million (approximately US$2.85 million or ₹26.9 crore), cementing his position as the absolute highest-paid head of government in the world.

Even before this adjustment, Singapore’s political leaders were already the highest-compensated public officials globally. The recent hike widens an already massive gap between Singapore’s leadership pay and that of other major global figures.

How does Wong’s salary compare to other global leaders?

THE SALARIES

Singapore (Lawrence Wong): US$2.85 million (~₹25.08 crore) (S$3.6 million benchmark)

Hong Kong (John Lee): US$568,000 to $719,000 (~₹5.00 crore to ₹6.33 crore)

Switzerland (President of the Federal Council): ₹4.46 crore to ₹5.33 crore)

United States (President Donald Trump): US$400,000 (₹3.52 crore)

Australia (Prime Minister Anthony Albanese): US$390,000 (₹3.43 crore)

Germany (Chancellor Olaf Scholz): US$370,000 (₹3.26 crore)

United Kingdom (Prime Minister Keir Starmer): US$205,000 to $230,000 (₹1.80 crore to ₹2.02 crore)

India (Prime Minister Narendra Modi): US$23,000 (₹20.24 lakh, roughly ₹1.69 lakh a month)

THE RATIONALE AND FRAMEWORK

Singapore’s government defends these high salaries as a pragmatic tool to attract top-tier private-sector and public-service talent into politics and to decisively deter corruption.

Political pay in Singapore is calculated by benchmarking against the salaries of the top 1,000 high-earning individuals in the country’s private sector.

Prime Minister Wong acknowledged that political pay is an “emotive topic” given the disparity with everyday citizens (where the median monthly wage is around S$5,775). To temper domestic criticism amid cost-of-living concerns, Wong pledged to donate his entire personal salary increase to charity for the next five years

HOW DOES SINGAPORE CALCULATE SALARIES?

Singapore uses a unique mathematical formula to decide political pay. The benchmark takes the median income of the top 1,000 Singaporean earners, applies a 40% discount to establish a ministerial salary, and then doubles that amount specifically for the Prime Minister.

With this increase, PM Lawrence Wong’s pay far outpaces other world leaders. For comparison, the U.S. President earns a fixed $400,000 (around Rs 3.3 crore) annually.

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What is Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s new annual salary?

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s benchmark annual salary is set to rise to S$3.6 million, which is approximately US$2.85 million or ₹26.9 crore. This represents a 64% increase from his previous salary of S$2.2 million.

How does Singapore calculate the salaries of its political leaders?

Singapore calculates political salaries by benchmarking against the median income of the top 1,000 high-earning individuals in the country’s private sector. A 40% discount is applied to establish a ministerial salary, and this amount is then doubled for the Prime Minister.

How does PM Lawrence Wong’s salary compare to other world leaders like the US President or India’s PM?

PM Lawrence Wong’s new salary of US$2.85 million significantly outpaces other world leaders. For comparison, the U.S. President earns US$400,000 annually, and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi earns US$23,000 annually.

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Manjiri Joshi

At the news desk for 20 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing speci…Read More

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