Compared to 2023, the actual pre-tax remuneration paid to Latvian government ministers rose by 91 700 euros last year, according to data provided by the State Chancellery.
As calculated by the LETA news agency based on State Chancellery information, in 2023 ministers were paid a total of 1 628 804 euros in salaries, while in 2024 this figure grew to 1 720 504 euros – an increase of 5.6% over the year.
The highest remuneration in the Cabinet of Ministers last year was received by the Prime Minister, Minister of Culture, and Minister of the Interior
According to the Law on Remuneration of Officials and Employees of State and Local Government Institutions, Cabinet members’ monthly salaries are determined by applying a coefficient to a base monthly wage. The base salary is recalculated annually based on average wage growth in the country.
In 2023, the base salary was 1 137 euros, and applying a coefficient of 6.2, ministers’ nominal monthly salary was 7 052 euros before tax. The Prime Minister’s coefficient was 7.0, resulting in a nominal monthly salary of 7 962 euros.
In 2024, the base salary increased to 1 206 euros, and with the same coefficient, ministers’ salaries rose to 7 475 euros. The Prime Minister’s salary climbed to 8 440 euros. However, declarations submitted by politicians show actual earnings were even higher due to factors like vacation pay, social guarantees, and other benefits.
This year, ministers’ nominal monthly salary reached 7 670 euros, with projections indicating it will rise to 8 089 euros next year.
The largest proportional increase in remuneration last year was seen in the position of Foreign Minister. In 2023, this post was held by current President Edgars Rinkēvičs and later by Krišjānis Kariņš. Their declarations report respective earnings of 59 086 euros and 30 003 euros, totalling 89 089 euros.
Kariņš held the position until the 10th of April 2024, when Baiba Braže (JV) replaced him. According to the State Chancellery, both officials earned 107 223 euros in this role last year – a 20.3% increase from 2023. The increase is partly due to a period in 2023 when the government operated without a Foreign Minister, with the role temporarily filled by the then-Prime Minister Kariņš.
The salary for the Minister of Culture also increased by over 10 000 euros last year. In 2023, the post was held by Nauris Puntulis (NA) and Agnese Logina (P), who earned 79 514 euros and 29 656 euros respectively – a total of 109 172 euros. In 2024, the position was held by Agneses Logina and Lāce, who earned 62 390 euros and 58 100 euros respectively – totalling 120 490 euros, or 10.4% more than the year before.
The Prime Minister’s salary increased by 6.8% last year. In 2023, Kariņš and Siliņa earned a combined 118 870 euros. In 2024, Siliņa served the full year, earning 126 943 euros.
The State Chancellery previously explained that salary differences arise due to ministers covering for one another during official trips or illness, which qualifies for additional compensation.
Since the 1st of July 2022, when amendments to the public sector remuneration law came into force as part of the “remuneration reform,” public officials’ pay has been gradually increasing with the goal of reaching 80% of equivalent private sector salaries. Recent data show public sector pay is growing significantly faster than in the private sector: in 2024, the average gross wage in the private sector rose by 8.7% to 1 666 euros, while in the public sector it increased by 12.2% to 1 742 euros.
The State Chancellery notes that due to the varied nature of public institutions – differing in size, funding, and responsibilities – wage comparisons with the private sector also include a broad range of companies, from small firms with fewer than 50 employees to large enterprises with over 500 staff and turnover ranging from under five million euros to over 100 million euros annually.