Minister of State Facts for Kids

A Minister of State is a special title for a government official. What this title means can be different in various countries.

In some European countries, it's a very important title given to senior ministers, showing they have a high rank. But in places like the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries, a Minister of State is a more junior role, working under a higher-ranking minister. And in countries like Australia, Brazil, and Japan, all government ministers are called 'Ministers of State'.

Important Government Roles
- Leaders and Senior Ministers
Junior Government Roles
- Supporting Senior Ministers
Other Uses of the Title
See Also

Important Government Roles

In several countries, the title "Minister of State" is used for very important government members. These are often top officials in the cabinet, or even the leader of the government.

Leaders and Senior Ministers

Brazil: In Brazil, all members of the Federal Cabinet are called Minister of State (Portuguese: Ministro de Estado).
Chile: All leaders of the Ministries in Chile are called Minister of State (Spanish: Ministro de Estado).
France: In France, "Minister of State" (Ministre d'État in French) is an honorary title. It's given to ministers when they are appointed. These ministers rank after the Prime Minister but before other ministers. They don't have special powers, but the title shows their importance. Sometimes, having several Ministers of State in a government shows a balance between different political groups. This role is different from a Secretary of State, who is a junior minister helping a main minister.
Japan: All members of the Japanese Cabinet hold the title of Minister of State.
Kenya: In Kenya, a Minister of State usually refers to a more senior minister. This is often because their ministry handles important areas like money or security. For example, ministries under the Office of the President might be called "Ministries of State for" something, like the Ministry of State for Internal Security.
Luxembourg: The Prime Minister of Luxembourg 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, the Prime Minister helps control and coordinate what other ministers do.
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 is responsible for making sure the country's laws are followed.
Palau: The Minister of State of Palau is in charge of foreign affairs and international trade.
Portugal: In Portugal, a Minister of State (Ministro de Estado) is a member of the Council of Ministers who has a very important position. It's similar to a Deputy prime minister.
Scandinavian countries + Finland: In these countries, the title statsminister is used for the head of government, which is the prime minister.
Turkey: A Minister of State (Turkish: Devlet Bakanı) was a position in Turkish cabinets between 1946 and 2011. There could be more than one Minister of State, each responsible for different policy areas.
United Kingdom: While usually a mid-level role (see next section), sometimes senior Ministers of State are invited to attend cabinet meetings. This means they are involved in important discussions, even if they are not officially full cabinet members. Recently, some Ministers of State have 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 work under a more senior cabinet member.

Supporting Senior Ministers

Canada: A Minister of State in Canada is more senior than a Secretary of State but less senior than a full Minister of the Crown.
Germany: In Germany, a Minister of State (Staatsminister in German) is a special title. It's given to a parliamentary state secretary who works in the Foreign Office or the Chancellor's Office. This role ranks between a State Secretary and a Federal Minister.
India: In India, a Minister of State is a junior minister in the Council of Ministers. They might help a cabinet minister or be in charge of a ministry on their own. The Constitution of India limits how many ministers there can be. A Minister of State with independent charge leads their own ministry and can take part in cabinet meetings on important topics.
Ireland: A Minister of State in Ireland is junior to a Minister who leads a Department of State. They have a similar standing to a Parliamentary Secretary.
Nigeria: In Nigeria, a Minister of State is a junior minister in the Nigerian Cabinet. They usually act as a main deputy to a Minister in a Federal Ministry. Sometimes, they might 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 in Sri Lanka is a non-cabinet minister. This means 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 in Singapore. They are more senior than Parliamentary Secretaries but junior to full Cabinet Ministers.
Turkmenistan: The head of the national natural gas company, Turkmengas, holds the rank of Minister of State and is part of the Cabinet of Ministers.
United Kingdom: A Minister of State in the UK is a member of His Majesty's Government. They are junior to a Secretary of State but more senior than 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.

Other Uses of the Title

Australia

Australia: In Australia, the Governor-General appoints "the Queen's Ministers of State for the Commonwealth." These ministers are divided into the Cabinet and the outer ministry. The only specific role with "minister of state" in its title is the Special Minister of State.

Netherlands and Belgium

In the Netherlands (Minister van Staat in Dutch) and Belgium (Ministre d'État in French), "Minister of State" is an honorary title. It's given by the Monarch, usually to senior politicians who have done great things for their country. This title is for life. Ministers of State often advise the Monarch in difficult situations, using their experience and wisdom.

In Belgium, they can attend meetings of the Crown Council. This council has only met a few times in history, for very important events. Besides that, the main benefits are being recognized at state events and having a special car registration number.

In both countries, junior ministers are called State Secretary.

New Zealand

In New Zealand, the role of Minister of State has been used in two main ways:

To give a special role to senior figures who are highly respected, even if they don't lead a specific department. For example, a former Prime Minister might be appointed Minister of State as an "elder statesman" (a respected senior figure). This is how the position was first created in 1975 by Prime Minister Rob Muldoon.
To create a type of junior minister. While New Zealand doesn't have formal "assistant minister" roles, a Minister of State is technically a full minister. This allows them to be assigned to help other full ministers with their work.

Famous people who have held this office include Keith Holyoake and Jim Bolger, both former Prime Ministers.

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. These ministers were chosen by the king to attend meetings of the Conseil du Roi (King's Council). Being invited to just one meeting meant a person could be called "ministre d'État" for life and received a yearly payment. There were usually only a few "ministres d'État" at these meetings.

After the French Revolution, the title reappeared during the Bourbon Restoration as an honorary title. It was 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 Resident in the Middle East were called Ministers of State in the Middle East. They were involved with Egypt, which was a British protectorate at the time.

Minister of State facts for kids

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