Growth in international organisations strengthens The Hague’s position and economy

Growing presence, growing impact

In 2025, the region of The Hague is home to 520 international organisations. That is 5.9% more than at the previous measurement in 2023 and 211% more than in 2005, when the municipality first began tracking the sector. The figures show that this is not a short-term spike, but part of a long-term pattern of steady growth.  

Over the past twenty years, the region of The Hague has continued to strengthen its position as an attractive base for international organisations working in peace and justice. These organisations are linked to 44,900 jobs across the region, including 19,674 direct jobs within the organisations themselves and 25,208 indirect jobs at suppliers and other businesses. In other words, each job at an international organisation creates more than one additional job elsewhere in the economy.   

How international organisations support the local economy

International organisations account for around 10% of The Hague’s economy. Their presence generates €8.6 billion in additional annual expenditure across the region, including both direct and indirect effects. Of that total, €4.4 billion reaches organisations and businesses in the region of The Hague as revenue. These figures underline that international organisations are not only part of The Hague’s international identity, but also a structural economic force.  

Their impact extends well beyond the international sector, bringing 1.66 million business visitors to the region and organising more than 11,000 events each year. This strengthens hotels, hospitality, retail and other amenities, and adds to the wider appeal and connectivity of The Hague’s international peace and justice ecosystem.  

Working together across sectors

That ecosystem is becoming increasingly diverse. Alongside well-established institutions, NGOs and knowledge institutions are helping to make The Hague’s peace and justice cluster broader and more resilient. Together, they reinforce a network that supports cooperation, knowledge exchange and a strong environment for those working on the rule of law and democratic values, climate justice, humanitarian action and human rights, security and a resilient society.  

The findings also underline the importance of continued investment in The Hague’s international ecosystem. In line with the International Policy Framework adopted by the City Council in March 2026, The Hague continues to strengthen the conditions that enable international organisations to work, connect and collaborate effectively in the international city of peace and justice.