Infographic claims Singapore has highest average salary in ASEAN, netizens point out wide gap with second-placed KL
A Facebook infographic circulating online has sparked discussion after placing Singapore at the top of a list of ASEAN regions with the highest average monthly salaries for 2025.
The infographic, which claims to show the “Top 20 Highest Average Monthly Salaries by Province/State in ASEAN 2025”, ranked Singapore first with an average monthly salary of US$4,457 (around S$5,700).
Malaysia occupied several spots on the list, with Kuala Lumpur (KL) coming in second at US$1,321 (around S$1,700).
Source: ASEAN Skyline on Facebook
It cited statistics departments from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines as its sources.
Singapore and Malaysia dominate rankings
On 17 Jan, the ASEAN Skyline Facebook page shared the infographic, which was later reposted on 31 Jan by ASEAN Skyline Rising.
Only five ASEAN countries were represented in the graphic. Singapore took the top spot, while Malaysian states dominated much of the ranking, placing second through seventh, as well as 18th and 19th.
Source: Cyrill on Pexels
By comparison, the Philippines appeared twice, with Manila ranking 14th and Cebu 20th, where the average monthly salaries were listed as US$730 (S$930) and US$585 (S$745) respectively.
Indonesia was represented solely by Jakarta at 17th place, while Thailand occupied the remaining positions on the list.
Netizens say higher pay comes with higher costs in Singapore
While KL ranked second, commenters quickly drew attention to the stark difference between it and Singapore’s figure.
One netizen noted that Singapore’s average monthly salary was approximately 337% higher than KL’s.
Source: Facebook
Others, however, argued that higher earnings in Singapore come with correspondingly higher living costs.
“Nominal income is not equal to higher purchasing power,” one user wrote.
Source: Facebook
Another commenter pointed out that the perceived “perk” of being Malaysian was the ability to earn Singapore dollars while spending in their home country.
Source: Facebook
Median salary figures show even wider gap
Some netizens also questioned the use of average salary figures, noting that median income is often considered a more accurate measure due to income distributions being skewed by high earners.
Source: Facebook
According to Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the median gross monthly salary for full-time employed residents in 2025 stands at S$5,775.
This figure includes both Singapore citizens and permanent residents.
Image by MS News, for illustration purposes only
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s Department of Statistics reported that the country’s median monthly salary in Q3 2025 was RM2,864 (around S$920).
KL recorded the highest median salary nationwide at RM4,064 (S$1,300).
Notably, the median figures suggest an even wider income gap between Singapore and KL than the averages shown in the infographic.
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia
The Malaysian data also showed Selangor and Penang ranking second and third nationwide in median monthly salary, contradicting the infographic, which placed them third and fifth respectively among Malaysian states.
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Featured image adapted from Netfalls on Canva, pat138241 from Getty Images Pro on Canva, and ASEAN Skyline on Facebook.
