The list and accompanying chart can be found at Mandarin It was shared on Saturday, and includes heads of state from every continent except Africa. The exception is Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission. In all cases, it includes the basic salary of the following politicians, to which may be added various allowances and other salary supplements.
At the top of the dummy podium is Lawrence Wong, the prime minister of the Southeast Asian nation of Singapore, who tops the rankings with an annual salary of $1.6 million, which includes bonuses and a 13th month's salary, despite only having been in office since May.
The silver medal also goes to an Asian leader, Hong Kong Chief Minister John Lee, who earns $695,000 a year, but his number is for 2022. The bronze goes to Europe and Switzerland's Viola Amherd, whose base annual income is $530,000.
Many are surprised, but the current US President, Joe Biden, is only fourth, with $400,000, and he can still take that amount this year, unless he is re-elected in November.
In fifth place is Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ($390,000), followed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz ($367,000). Not far behind is Ursula von der Leyen, the recently re-elected president of the European Commission, who earns just $3,000 less than the German chancellor.
The final three spots in the top 10 are occupied by Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer ($307,000), Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ($292,000), and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon ($288,000). Japan’s current leader, Kishida Fumio, just dropped out of the list with an annual salary of $256,000.
