Aberdeenshire scores 982 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 153rd of 361 local authorities and 18 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. Its strongest result is on ESG, where it ranks 95th nationally and sits 55 points above the UK average. Investment is the area where it trails the benchmark most noticeably, at 58 points below.
Each pillar score is averaged across the area's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means a smaller authority with highly active companies can outscore a much larger one, making this a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK benchmark is set at 1,000, so a score of 982 puts Aberdeenshire just below the national average across its 11,774 active companies. The likely range of 969 to 995 shows how much the composite score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies, and the score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
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 Aberdeenshire's composite score of 982 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
967
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−33 points against the UK · Likely range 950–984 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, presence in innovative sectors and coverage of IS-8 sectors. Aberdeenshire ranks 200th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 967 and sitting 33 points below the UK benchmark, outperforming just under half of all authorities.
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
1,013
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+13 points against the UK · Likely range 991–1,035 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies are high-growth scaleups, their headcount growth over recent years and whether they have attended an accelerator. At 1,013, Aberdeenshire's Scaling score is 13 points above the UK average and places it 100th of 360 authorities, outperforming 72.2% of all areas, a relative strength in the authority's profile.
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 covers whether companies have raised equity in the last five years, the amount raised and whether a raise was a company's first ever. Aberdeenshire scores 942 on this pillar, 58 points below the UK benchmark and ranking 185th of 360 authorities, making this the area where it falls furthest short of the national 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
1,055
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+55 points against the UK · Likely range 1,033–1,077 · 10% of the composite
ESG measures activity in clean or renewable energy, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit status. Aberdeenshire's ESG score of 1,055 is 55 points above the UK benchmark, placing it 95th of 361 authorities and outperforming 73.7% of all areas, its strongest result across the four pillars.
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 shows how Aberdeenshire's composite score of 982 sits alongside its neighbours in Scotland.
What is Aberdeenshire's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Aberdeenshire scores 982, placing it 153rd of 361 local authorities and 18 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Aberdeenshire compare to the rest of Scotland on this index?
Aberdeenshire ranks 13th of 32 Scottish local authorities, scoring 10 points below the Scotland average of 992.
Which pillar is Aberdeenshire's strongest?
ESG is Aberdeenshire's highest-scoring pillar at 1,055, which is 55 points above the UK average and ranks 95th nationally.
Where does Aberdeenshire perform weakest on the index?
Investment is the weakest pillar, at 942 and 58 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 185th of 360 authorities.
How many companies are counted in Aberdeenshire's scores?
The index covers 11,774 active companies in Aberdeenshire, with corporate groups counted once rather than as each of their registered entities.
What does the likely range mean for Aberdeenshire's score?
The likely range of 969 to 995 shows how much the composite score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies. The score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
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.
