The Hague economy is performing well according to a recent progress report from the Gemeente Den Haag. Thanks to the joint efforts of the municipality, businesses, entrepreneurs, and educational and knowledge institutions, the economy grew faster in recent years than in previous years and than the national average. For instance, the University Campus Spui opened, allowing The Hague to grow as a student and knowledge city, and Scheveningen Haven is developing into a future-oriented working port. Furthermore, the first results of the approach to improve the business climate in the Schilderswijk and Transvaal districts are clearly visible, and significant steps have been taken to improve business services.
The Hague is growing, and that calls for clear choices. To keep the city livable and prosperous, focusing on a healthy economy is essential. This means paying attention to entrepreneurs as well as large companies, to innovative start-ups as well as broadly supported Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). Together, they ensure that residents of The Hague can work in the city where they live, that essential facilities are preserved, and that The Hague remains attractive to residents and visitors.
Alderman Nur Icar (SME): “Our services to entrepreneurs are becoming clearer, more personal, and faster step by step, with the Entrepreneur Portal as the central hub.” where entrepreneurs can turn to. It is wonderful that the number of entrepreneurs finding their way to the Entrepreneur Portal is increasing: in 2025 there were 3,845 compared to 2,464 visitors in 2023. It is important that this course is continued. Furthermore, I am very pleased with the steps taken so far together with entrepreneurs to make the neighborhoods in Schilderswijk and Transvaal into attractive and future-proof shopping areas.”
Alderwoman Saskia Bruines (Economic Development): “I am proud of the steps we have taken over the past few years. A great example is the growth of The Hague’s cybersecurity cluster, where nearly 6,000 people worked a year ago. Thanks to targeted attention, we are attracting new companies and building a vital ecosystem together with our partners. This cluster not only generates jobs and economic value but also contributes to the digital security of residents and businesses in the city and region.”
10 years of ImpactCity, additional BIZs and space for businesses
Another important milestone is the 10th anniversary of the ImpactCity program. For a decade, The Hague has been investing specifically in companies that combine doing good and doing business . The city now has over 200 companies that are part of the so-called impact economy. In light of current geopolitical developments, investments in circularity and clean energy are particularly important. Furthermore, the city now has 30 Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), and with the opening of the Beatrijs multi-tenant office building last year, The Hague has also gained an additional 3,500 m² of workspace for manufacturing companies, particularly from the local area. The relocation and expansion of The Hague Tech has also created extra space for technology companies.
Economy of the future
At the same time, there are areas of focus to keep The Hague’s economy strong and resilient in the future. For example, the development of the knowledge economy is lagging behind. Although the knowledge base in The Hague is growing, driven by universities and startups among others, the share of knowledge-intensive companies remains smaller than in other major cities. It is also important to continue focusing on improving services for entrepreneurs. Additionally, there is a shortage of space for companies to grow and innovate, and the city needs to become more attractive to attract and retain talent.
More information can be found in the progress report on the Economic Implementation Agenda 2023-2026 and the interim policy evaluation of the Economic Vision .
Text: Gemeente Den Haag
Translation to English: The Hague Online
Featured photo: ‘Table talk’ at the tenth edition of ImpactFest. Photo: Municipality of The Hague.