Aberdeen City ranks 18th of 361 local authorities in the UK Local Growth Index, with a composite score of 1,081, placing it 81 points above the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is on Scaling, where it ranks 8th nationally. All four pillars are above the UK benchmark, and all four scores are published.
The composite score for Aberdeen City is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted at 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively.
Each score is averaged across Aberdeen City's 11,410 active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means the index reflects how active local companies are on each measure, not how large the local economy is, which allows fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Aberdeen City's composite of 1,081 sits clearly above that benchmark. Each pillar also carries a likely range, showing how much the score could move with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on, and all four pillar scores meet that standard here.
Scotland
Each dot shows the pillar score on a scale where the UK as a whole scores 1,000, marked by the line. The paler band is the likely range. The composite weights Innovation, Scaling and Investment 30% each and ESG 10%.
How Aberdeen City's composite score of 1,081 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,116
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+116 points against the UK · Likely range 1,086–1,146 · 30% of the composite
Innovation is measured through granted patent families filed in the last 20 years, R&D grant value, academic spinout status, presence in innovative sectors and coverage of the eight IS-8 sectors. Aberdeen City scores 1,116 on this pillar, 116 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 15th of 361 authorities and placing it in the top 5% nationally.
Tagged with any industry or buzzword on a curated list of innovative sectors, for example chips, biotechnology, quantum, AI, data, SaaS, FinTech and CleanTech. About 2.5% of companies.
Tagged with any of the eight IS-8 sectors: advanced manufacturing, clean energy, creative industries, digital and technologies, financial services, life sciences, professional and business services, and defence. About 18% of companies.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
Scaling
1,096
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+96 points against the UK · Likely range 1,070–1,122 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures scaleup status, headcount growth and accelerator participation. At 1,096 and ranked 8th of 360 authorities, this is Aberdeen City's strongest pillar result: its companies are adding staff noticeably faster than the UK average, and the city outperforms 97.8% of all authorities on this measure.
Annualised three-year employee growth rate over the latest four years of accounts, including group accounts, for companies with five or more employees at the start (capped). All other companies count as zero.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
Investment
1,031
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+31 points against the UK · Likely range 1,001–1,061 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers whether companies raised equity in the last five years, the amount raised and whether a raise was a first-time deal. Aberdeen City scores 1,031 here, 31 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 37th of 360 authorities and sitting in the top 20% nationally.
Whether the company's first equity deal ever was in the last five years. A first-time raiser always counts as an equity raiser too.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
ESG
1,084
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+84 points against the UK · Likely range 1,060–1,108 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar measures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. With a score of 1,084 and a rank of 54th of 361 authorities, Aberdeen City is 84 points above the UK benchmark on ESG, though this is its relatively lowest pillar result across the four.
Is limited by guarantee without share capital, a rough indicator of non-profit status.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
Compared to Scotland
The chart below places Aberdeen City's composite score alongside its neighbouring authorities in Scotland, where it ranks 3rd of 32, scoring 89 points above the Scottish average of 992.
Aberdeen City scores 1,081 on the UK Local Growth Index composite, 81 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000. It ranks 18th of 361 local authorities nationally.
How does Aberdeen City compare to other Scottish authorities?
Aberdeen City ranks 3rd of 32 Scottish authorities, scoring 89 points above the Scottish average of 992. The highest-scoring Scottish authority in the index is Orkney Islands, with a score of 1,169.
Which pillar is Aberdeen City's strongest?
Scaling is Aberdeen City's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,096 and a national rank of 8th of 360 authorities, placing it in the top 5% of all local authorities in the UK.
How does Aberdeen City score on Innovation?
Aberdeen City scores 1,116 on Innovation, ranking 15th of 361 authorities and sitting 116 points above the UK benchmark. It is in the top 5% of authorities nationally on this pillar.
What does the UK Local Growth Index actually measure?
The index measures the characteristics of a local authority's business economy across four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG. Scores are averaged across active companies, with corporate groups counted once, so the index reflects how active local companies are rather than the size of the local economy.
How many active companies are counted in Aberdeen City?
The index counts 11,410 active companies in Aberdeen City, with corporate groups counted once rather than as individual registered entities.
Explore the data behind the index
Every score on this page is built from real, named company activity, patent filings, fundraisings, spinouts and scaleups. Book a call to see the data behind any authority's score, and how Beauhurst can support your work.
