Minister of State facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

A Minister of State is a special title given to a government minister. What this title means can be different in various countries.

In some European countries, it's an honorary title that shows a minister has a higher rank, often given to very important ministers. In the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries, a "Minister of State" is usually a more junior role, below the most senior ministers.

However, in countries like Brazil and Japan, all ministers who are part of the main government team (the cabinet) hold this title. In Australia, "Minister of State" is used for all government ministers, no matter their rank.

Important Government Roles
Junior Government Roles
Roles in Smaller Regions
Other Ways the Title is Used
See also

Important Government Roles

In many countries, the title "Minister of State" is for top government members. Sometimes, it's a special rank within the main cabinet, or even for the leader of the government.

Brazil: All members of the main government team, the Federal Cabinet, are called Minister of State (Portuguese: Ministro de Estado).
Chile: All leaders of government departments (Ministries) are called Minister of State (Spanish: Ministro de Estado).
France: In France, Minister of State (Ministre d'État) is an honorary title. It's given when someone is named a Minister. These ministers rank after the Prime Minister but before other ministers. They don't have special powers, but it's a sign of their importance. Sometimes, having several Ministers of State shows a balance between different political groups in the government. A Minister of State is different from a Secretary of State, who is a junior minister helping a main Minister.
Japan: All members of the Japanese Cabinet are called Minister of State.
Kenya: A Minister of State usually means a more senior minister. This is often because their ministry handles important areas like money or security. For example, ministries under the President's Office might be called "Ministries of State for" something.
Luxembourg: The Prime Minister also holds the title of Minister of State (French: Ministre d'État). This title has been used for the head of government since 1848. As Minister of State, their job is to guide and check the work of other ministers.
Monaco: The Minister of State of Monaco is the head of government for the Principality. This person is chosen by the Prince of Monaco and must follow his directions. They are in charge of making sure the laws are followed.
Palau: The Minister of State of Palau is the minister responsible for dealing with other countries and international trade.
Portugal: A Minister of State (Ministro de Estado) is a member of the Council of Ministers who has a very important role. It's similar to a Deputy prime minister.
Spain: When Adolfo Suárez was Prime Minister, he created Ministers of State who had a more important role in the government. However, this idea didn't last long.
Scandinavian countries + Finland: The title statsminister is used for the head of government (the prime minister). Other important ministers might have titles that include -minister.
Turkey: A Minister of State (Turkish: Devlet Bakanı) was a role in Turkish governments between 1946 and 2011. There could be several Ministers of State in one government, each in charge of different policy areas.
United Kingdom: This is usually a mid-level government job. However, some senior Ministers of State are invited to attend main cabinet meetings. More recently, some Ministers of State have even become full members of the Cabinet.

Junior Government Roles

In many countries, especially those that were once part of the British Empire, "Minister of State" is a junior role. This means they are often below a main cabinet minister.

Canada: A Minister of State is more senior than a Secretary of State but less senior than a full Minister of the Crown.
See also: Ministers of State in Canada
Germany: Minister of State (Staatsminister) is a title given to a special parliamentary state secretary. This person is a member of parliament who helps a cabinet minister. They work in important offices like the Foreign Office. This role is between a State Secretary and a Federal Minister.
India: A Minister of State is a junior minister in the Council of Ministers. They might help a main cabinet minister or be in charge of a ministry on their own. The Constitution of India limits how many Ministers of State there can be. A Minister of State with "independent charge" leads their own ministry and can join cabinet meetings for important topics.
Ireland: A Minister of State is junior to a Minister who leads a main government department. They are similar in rank to a Parliamentary Secretary.
See also: Ministers of State in Ireland
Nigeria: A Minister of State is a junior Minister in the Nigerian Cabinet. They usually help the main Minister in a government department. Sometimes, they lead a special department in the President's Office. Both senior Ministers and Ministers of State are considered Ministers of the Government.
Pakistan: Like in other former British colonies, a Minister of State in Pakistan is a junior Minister. They might help a cabinet minister or be in charge of a ministry on their own.
Sri Lanka: A Minister of State is a minister who is not part of the main cabinet. They are junior to a Cabinet Minister but more senior than a Deputy Minister.
Singapore: Ministers of State and Senior Ministers of State are part of the government. They are more senior than Parliamentary Secretaries but less senior than full Cabinet Ministers.
Turkmenistan: The head of the national natural gas company, Turkmengas, holds the rank of Minister of State. This person is included in the main Cabinet of Ministers.

United Kingdom: A Minister of State is a member of His Majesty's Government. They are junior to a Secretary of State but senior to a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State. Ministers of State report to their Secretaries of State. There can be more than one Minister of State in a government department.
See also: Minister of State (United Kingdom)

Roles in Smaller Regions

In the country of Burma (now Myanmar), the title "Minister of State" was used for the Chief ministers of different self-governing regions. This was from 1947/48 until their self-rule ended in 1962.

Other Ways the Title is Used

Australia

Australia: The country's constitution allows the Governor-General to appoint "the Queen's Ministers of State for the Commonwealth." These ministers manage different government departments. In practice, ministers are divided into the main Cabinet and other ministers. The only specific role with "minister of state" in its name is the Special Minister of State.

Netherlands and Belgium

In the Netherlands (Minister van Staat) and Belgium (Ministre d'État), "Minister of State" is an honour given by the Monarch. It's usually given to senior politicians who have done great things, often after they finish their main political career. These Ministers of State can advise the Monarch in difficult situations.

In Belgium, they can attend meetings of the Crown Council. This council has only met five times in history, usually for very serious national issues. Besides that, the main benefits are a higher rank at official events and a special car registration number.

In both countries, junior ministers are called State Secretary.

New Zealand

Sometimes, the role is given to respected senior figures who don't have a main leadership position. For example, a former Prime Minister might become Minister of State as an "elder statesman" (a respected, experienced leader). This is why New Zealand Prime Minister Rob Muldoon first created the position in 1975.
It can also be used to create a type of junior minister. If someone is a full minister, they can be assigned to help another full minister. A Minister of State is technically a full minister, so they can be assigned these "associate roles." This creates a minister whose main job is to help other ministers.

Important people who have held this role include Keith Holyoake (a former Prime Minister) and Jim Bolger (another former Prime Minister).

Ancien Régime France

In France during the Ancien Régime (the old system of government before the French Revolution), the title "Ministre d'État" had a specific meaning. It first appeared under Louis XIII. These "ministres d'État" attended meetings of the King's Council. From 1661, the king could invite anyone he wanted to his Council. If someone attended one session, they had the right to be called "ministre d'État" for life and received a yearly payment. There were only a few "ministres d'État" at Council meetings.

After the French Revolution, the title "ministre d'État" came back during the Bourbon Restoration. It was mostly an honorary title given to Ministers after they left office. If the King refused to give this title, it was seen as an insult.

British diplomacy

From 1944, the last two British Ministers who lived in the Middle East and dealt with Egypt were called Ministers of State in the Middle East.