Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced in Parliament on Tuesday that Singaporean ministers are set to receive substantial salary increases. The move follows recommendations from an independent committee tasked with reviewing government compensation to ensure it remains competitive with the private sector.

Under the new benchmarks, the entry-level ministerial salary will rise from S$1.1 million to S$1.8 million (approximately US$1.4 million). The benchmark for the Prime Minister’s salary will see a larger increase, moving from S$2.2 million to S$3.6 million. These figures represent the total annual compensation packages for these roles.

During his address, Prime Minister Wong noted that he intends to donate the portion of his salary increase to charitable causes. The government maintains that these adjustments are necessary to attract and retain high-caliber talent for public service, arguing that ministerial pay must be commensurate with the responsibilities of managing the nation. While the policy is framed as a structural adjustment based on independent advice, it comes at a time when cost-of-living concerns remain a topic of public discussion in Singapore. The government has emphasized that the pay structure is designed to prevent corruption and ensure that the best individuals are incentivized to serve in the cabinet.