How much world leaders earn

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) can look forward to a substantial increase in salary from Friday. Because: He is still in the Bundestag, for which a diet increase will take effect from July 1st. In the future, Scholz will receive 30,189.81 euros a month, around 360,000 euros a year.

Without his mandate in the Bundestag, his income would be lower – but at just under 25,000 euros a month, it would still be significantly higher than that of most of his voters. Compared to other heads of state or government, however, that is still little. t-online shows how much Scholz’ colleagues earn around the world.

Joe Biden

The US President earns 400,000 US dollars per year, which is the equivalent of around 382,000 euros. However, there are actually significantly more, for example because of book contracts or lectures. In his first year as president, Biden and his wife Jill are said to have earned the equivalent of around 565,000 euros together.

For comparison, his Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff, who works as a lawyer, together earned more than $1.6 million.

Boris Johnson / How much world leaders earn

According to media reports, Boris Johnson feels underpaid. He currently earns £164,080, the equivalent of EUR 190,000 – but £76,000 just because of his position as British Prime Minister. The rest comes from his mandate as a member of the British House of Commons.

As with Biden, however, he makes even more money, also through media appearances or lectures.

Emmanuel Macron

Emmanuel Macron, who has ruled France since 2017, earns just 15,140 euros a month or 181,680 euros a year. He gets a little less than Kremlin boss Putin. And probably less than if he had remained an investment banker.

In addition, Macron is likely to own some real estate. Overall, his fortune is said to be around half a million euros.

Mario Draghi

Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi would actually be entitled to 110,000 euros as prime minister. But the politician, who has been in office since February last year, announced in May 2021 that he would waive his salary. Probably also as a gesture of solidarity.

Alone: ​​He can easily afford to do without. The former head of the ECB draws two generous state pensions and, according to media reports, owns several properties.

How much world leaders earn / Wladimir Putin

Despite the illegal attack on Ukraine and sanctions against Russia, the head of the Kremlin continues to earn a handsome salary. Putin, who has been in power as either president or prime minister for more than 20 years, is said to have earned 10.2 million rubles last year. That’s a rather low income compared to many heads of state.

However, his additional income is likely to be many times higher, also due to his many years of close contacts with Russian oil and gas companies and oligarchs. According to estimates, it should earn up to one billion euros a year.

Xi Jinping

Chinese President Xi Jinping is officially modest. According to Chinese propaganda, he only earns around 22,000 US dollars a year, the equivalent of just under 21,000 euros. This corresponds to the salary of a normal Chinese earner.

Xi Jinping probably wants to set a good example. But: His unofficial income is likely to be far higher than his official salary. His fortune is estimated at more than a billion euros. At least.

How much world leaders earn / Lee Hsien Loong

The top earner among heads of government is Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. He earns a whopping 2.2 million US dollars a year, the equivalent of around 2.09 million euros. Since he took office in 2004, an impressive sum must have been raised.

Lee Hsien Loong is the eldest son of the country’s founder, Lee Kuan Yew, who was prime minister himself for decades.

Over time, Singapore has developed into one of the most important international financial centers and one of the richest countries in the world – but is also characterized by a very high cost of living.