Portsmouth scores 964 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 243rd of 361 local authorities and 36 points below the UK benchmark. Its companies sit below the national average on all four pillars, with Investment its relative strength and Innovation the area where it trails most. The score falls 36 points below Hampshire's county score and 39 points below the South East regional average.
Each score is an average across Portsmouth's 11,671 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 makes it a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Portsmouth's 964 places it just below the national average. Every score also comes with a likely range showing how much it could move with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
South East
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 Portsmouth's composite score of 964 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
952
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−48 points against the UK · Likely range 937–967 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, presence in innovative sectors and coverage of the eight IS-8 sectors. Portsmouth ranks 252nd of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 952, which is 48 points below the UK benchmark, and it outperforms only 30.2% of authorities. That places Innovation as Portsmouth's weakest pillar relative to the national average.
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
986
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−14 points against the UK · Likely range 965–1,007 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies qualify as scaleups, their three-year headcount growth rates and accelerator participation. Portsmouth scores 986 here, 14 points below the UK average, and ranks 225th of 360 authorities. Of its four pillars, Scaling is closest to the national benchmark.
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
942
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−58 points against the UK · Likely range 919–965 · 30% of the composite
Investment captures equity-raising activity, the value of equity raised and first-time equity raisers, all over the last five years. At 942 and ranked 184th of 360, this is Portsmouth's relative standout: it outperforms 48.9% of authorities, more than on any other pillar, even though it remains 58 points below the UK average.
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
994
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−6 points against the UK · Likely range 978–1,010 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar reflects clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit status. Portsmouth scores 994, just 6 points below the UK benchmark, and ranks 235th of 361 authorities. That narrow gap makes ESG the pillar on which Portsmouth comes closest to the national average in absolute terms.
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 Hampshire
The chart below sets Portsmouth's composite score against its neighbouring authorities in Hampshire.
Portsmouth scores 964 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 243rd of 361 local authorities. That is 36 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Portsmouth compare with the rest of Hampshire?
Portsmouth ranks 11th of 13 authorities in Hampshire and scores 36 points below the county average of 1,000. Test Valley is the next-highest authority in the county, with a score of 1,093.
How does Portsmouth rank in the South East?
Portsmouth ranks 53rd of 64 authorities in the South East and sits 39 points below the regional average of 1,003.
Which pillar is Portsmouth strongest on?
Investment is Portsmouth's relative strength, where it outperforms 48.9% of authorities and ranks 184th of 360. The pillar covers equity-raising activity, equity raised and first-time equity raisers over the last five years.
Which pillar is Portsmouth weakest on?
Innovation is Portsmouth's weakest pillar, where it ranks 252nd of 361 and scores 48 points below the UK average. It outperforms only 30.2% of authorities on measures including patents, R&D grant value and innovative sector tagging.
How many companies are counted in Portsmouth's score?
Portsmouth's score is based on 11,671 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate 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.
