The Hagueruns on a handful of strong industries. If you’re job-hunting or weighing a move, here’s where the opportunities (and the big-name employers) are.
Top industries & employers
Government & public administration
Tweede Kamer, the ministries, Raad van State, Hoge Raad, Belastingdienst
The Hague is the seat of Dutch government though not the capital, and central administration is the single largest employer. Recruitment is largely Dutch-language, which is the practical catch for internationals.
International law, justice & peace institutions
International Court of Justice, International Criminal Court, OPCW, Europol, Eurojust
Around 200 international organisations sit here, most of their staff on privileged status under headquarters agreements rather than on Dutch residence permits — a parallel legal and tax world inside the same city.
Energy & offshore
Shell Nederland, TotalEnergies EP Nederland, EBN, Van Oord offshore wind
The administrative centre of Dutch North Sea oil and gas for decades, now pivoting into offshore wind and hydrogen. Much of the technical work sits offshore or in Rotterdam; the decisions are made here.
Security, cyber & defence
The Hague Security Delta, NCSC, Europol, NATO Communications and Information Agency
The Hague markets itself as the international city of peace and justice, and the security cluster is the commercial side of that — cyber, forensics and investigations built around the institutions.
Insurance & pensions
Aegon, NN Group, Nationale-Nederlanden, a.s.r. operations
Two of the largest Dutch insurers are headquartered here, and the pensions sector gives the city a substantial actuarial and asset-management labour market that is easy to overlook next to the institutions.
Higher education & research
Leiden University Campus The Hague, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Social Studies, TNO
Leiden's Hague campus concentrates on governance, security and international relations rather than a full faculty spread, which makes it unusually well plugged into the institutions next door.
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