Singapore pays its public officials high salaries primarily to ensure the integrity and quality of its government. The official justification centers on attracting top talent who could otherwise command high incomes in the private sector, thereby establishing a "clean wage" that reduces the financial incentive for corruption. Salaries are explicitly benchmarked to the median income of the nation's highest earners.
e.g.,
Singapore PM annual salary: ~$1.63 million USD
Singapore President salary: ~$1.14 million USD
(These are the highest public salaries in the world for politicians)
Singapore pays its public officials high salaries primarily to ensure the integrity and quality of its government. The official justification centers on attracting top talent who could otherwise command high incomes in the private sector, thereby establishing a "clean wage" that reduces the financial incentive for corruption. Salaries are explicitly benchmarked to the median income of the nation's highest earners.
e.g.,
Singapore PM annual salary: ~$1.63 million USD
Singapore President salary: ~$1.14 million USD
(These are the highest public salaries in the world for politicians)