Singapore's prime minister earns 7 times more than Trump after 64% pay raise

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is the highest-paid elected head of government in the world, according to a survey of government data from multiple countries.

Wong earns an annual salary of $2.85 million, placing him at the top of the rankings, Yonhap said, citing a Monday report by Spanish-language outlet Infobae, which compiled data from government sources around the world.

His pay surged 64% following Singapore's first overhaul of ministerial and senior civil servant compensation in 15 years, further cementing his position as the world's top-earning elected leader.

Wong's salary is more than seven times that of US President Donald Trump, who earns $400,000 a year.

Singapore operates what it calls a "clean wage" system, under which senior civil servant salaries are benchmarked against the incomes of the top 1,000 private-sector earners. The policy is designed to deter corruption and attract top talent from the private sector into public service.

However, Wong said he would donate the full amount of his raise to charity over the next five years, citing public sentiment.

Wong has also drawn attention recently for a sweeping package of childcare and family support measures.

According to Bloomberg and other outlets, Wong announced the measures in a National Day Rally speech the previous day, saying "families all over the world today face increasing pressure" and that Singapore intended to make "a fundamental shift in how we support families."

He announced that Singaporean newborns would receive 10,000 Singapore dollars ($7,600) as a "birth gift," with total direct government support reaching 70,000 Singapore dollars per child by the time they turn 17.

The government also said it would significantly expand paid parental leave and reduce monthly fees at subsidized full-day childcare centers to 150 Singapore dollars.

Under the plan, dual-income couples with one child would each receive eight additional days of paid leave, rising to 10 days for two children and 12 days for three or more.

Wong said the government was also reviewing an extension of the current paid parental leave period of seven months and 15 days. He added that the existing system would be maintained for now to give employers time to adjust.

Singapore's government also said it would give priority to couples with children or those expecting a child when processing applications for public housing.