The word leaders with the fattest paychecks

Being head of state or head of government implies a lot of pressure from the citizens of the country, as well as internationally; long, tedious working hours and relatively low pay, at least compared to that of CEOs of large companies.

However, some world leaders have a much better salary than others. These are some of the highest paid political leaders in the world in 2024.

Lee Hsien Loong, the Prime Minister of Singapore, receives the highest compensation of any government leader globally. He earns approximately $1.6 million a year, according to World Population Review.

However, the country also allows its president an expense of $50,000 "to help defray expenses related to or resulting from the performance of his official duties", according to the US Code. In addition, he has access to the most luxurious amenities such as the White House and the Air Force One.

The fifth highest paid world leader is Australian Prime Minister and former Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese, who trails Biden with an annual salary of approximately $378,400, according to the Financial Australian Review.

Not far behind is Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz (pictured), who earns about $360,000 a year, followed by New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who earns nearly $340,000, according to Wage Indicator.

Also in the top ten are: Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, Mauritania's president with a salary of $330,000, followed by Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer who earns $328,000 a year, and Luc Frieden (in the photo), Prime Minister of Luxembourg with a salary of  $278,000 per year.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earns CA$379,000 ($282,000) annually, according to CTV News, ranking 12th on the list of the world's highest-paid leaders.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak earns around £161,401 ($186,685) a year. Although it doesn't make much of a difference to him, given that he is the 222nd richest person in the world, according to The Sunday Times.

On the other hand, some world leaders are really underpaid. Some of the worst are the President of Laos ($1,630 per year); The president of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel ($360 per year) or Ali Khamenei (pictured), the supreme leader of Iran, who supposedly does not receive a salary.

However, low salaries in top government jobs often lead to corruption, especially in a dictatorial regime like Iran's, for example. And while on paper they may have a certain salary, chances are, they actually have millions at their disposal.