Mid Ulster scores 1,005 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 89th of 361 local authorities and 5 points above the UK benchmark. Its standout result is on Scaling, where it ranks 12th nationally. Investment is the area where it trails the UK most clearly.
Each pillar score is averaged across the area's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That approach means a smaller authority with highly active companies can rank above a larger one, making the index a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Mid Ulster's composite of 1,005 puts its companies marginally ahead of the national average across the four pillars. The likely range for that score is 987 to 1,023, meaning the score stays close to the UK benchmark even accounting for variation in the local company mix; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
Northern Ireland
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 Mid Ulster's composite score of 1,005 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
982
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−18 points against the UK · Likely range 955–1,009 · 30% of the composite
Innovation is measured through granted patent families, academic spinout status, R&D grant values, presence in innovative sectors and coverage of the eight IS-8 sectors. Mid Ulster scores 982 on this pillar, 18 points below the UK benchmark, and ranks 153rd of 361 authorities, placing it just outside the top half 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
1,093
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+93 points against the UK · Likely range 1,052–1,134 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar captures whether companies are 20% scaleups, their annualised headcount growth over the latest four years of accounts, and whether they have attended an accelerator. Mid Ulster ranks 12th of 360 authorities here, with a score of 1,093, placing it in the top 5% nationally and 93 points above the UK benchmark. That is a clear signal that its companies are adding staff at a markedly faster rate than the national average.
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
918
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−82 points against the UK · Likely range 888–948 · 30% of the composite
Investment looks at whether companies raised equity in the last five years, the amount raised and whether a company completed its first-ever equity deal in that period. At 918, Mid Ulster's Investment score is 82 points below the UK benchmark and ranks 288th of 360 authorities, suggesting equity finance is less prevalent among its companies than across the UK as a whole.
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
1,070
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+70 points against the UK · Likely range 1,043–1,097 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and a not-for-profit proxy. Mid Ulster scores 1,070 here, 70 points above the UK benchmark, and ranks 76th of 361 authorities, putting it in the top quarter nationally on this measure.
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 Northern Ireland
The chart below sets Mid Ulster's composite score and pillar scores against its neighbours across Northern Ireland.
What is Mid Ulster's overall score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Mid Ulster scores 1,005, placing it 89th of 361 local authorities and 5 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Mid Ulster compare to the rest of Northern Ireland?
Mid Ulster ranks 4th of 11 Northern Ireland authorities, sitting 7 points below the regional score of 1,012.
Which pillar is Mid Ulster's strongest?
Scaling is its strongest pillar, with a score of 1,093 and a national rank of 12th of 360 authorities, putting it in the top 5% in the UK.
Where does Mid Ulster score below the UK average?
Its Investment score of 918 is 82 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 288th of 360 authorities. Its Innovation score of 982 is also 18 points below the UK benchmark.
How many companies are counted in Mid Ulster's scores?
The scores cover 5,880 active companies in Mid Ulster, with corporate groups counted once rather than as individual registered entities.
What does the UK Local Growth Index actually measure?
It measures the characteristics of a place's business economy across four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG. It is not a measure of economic output or GDP.
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.
