S’pore ministers are still underpaid: Their salaries are lower than ever since the 2000 reform
Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, any opinions expressed below belong solely to the author. The topic of ministerial salaries in Singapore has garnered a lot of attention in recent weeks, after it was announced that the baseline salary grades for the cabinet would be increased by 64% for the first time in 15 years. As a […]
Singapore's ministers find themselves in an unfortunate position of being paid less than ever before since the 2000 reform, according to recent disclosures. After the cabinet's baseline salary grades were raised by 64% for the first time in 15 years, it was discovered that their immediate pay bump will only be 9%, effective from October 2026, increasing the MR4 level to S$1.2 million.
This is the first pay rise they have received since 2011. Inflation has gradually eroded the value of these salaries, making them now worth only S$750,000 in 2000 money, despite being at their peak at S$1.8 million in 2011. The pay disparities are stark when compared to the median income of the public, which has quadrupled in size since 2000.
After adjusting for inflation, ministerial salaries have dropped by 23%, representing just 77% of their value from the turn of the century. Despite these findings, adjustments to ministerial salaries remain uncertain, as the government aims to avoid political backlash while acknowledging the underpayment of ministers.
Written by urgent.news from Vulcan Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
