{
  "id": 6288242,
  "title": "World’s highest-paid political leader to get $1 million salary increase",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/worlds-highest-paid-political-leader-to-get-1-million-salary-increase",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-08T13:25:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/world-s-highest-paid-political-leader-to-get-1-million-salary-increase-1.500667354"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is set to receive a significant salary increase, boosting his benchmark annual pay to S$3.6 million ($2.8 million) from S$1.4 million ($1.1 million). This move comes as part of a major overhaul of political salaries in Singapore, the first adjustment in 15 years. Wong currently holds the title of the world's highest-paid political leader, with his new salary being about seven times that of the US president, who earns an annual salary of $400,000. Other high-earning political leaders include the Prime Minister of Switzerland, the Australian PM, and the German Chancellor, whose annual remuneration ranges from several hundred thousand to nearly $130,000. Despite the substantial increase, Wong announced that he would donate his entire salary raise to charity over the next five years. The government's decision to raise political salaries is aimed at attracting top talent and maintaining high standards of government. Wong believes that competitive pay is necessary to encourage capable individuals to enter politics instead of remaining in the private sector or public service. The new salary structure will be reviewed every five years, providing future prime ministers with a better chance of recruiting capable individuals to build the strongest possible team for Singapore.",
  "summary": "World’s highest-paid leader to get $1m raise",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}