Antrim and Newtownabbey scores 1,012 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 71st of 361 local authorities and 12 points above the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is on Scaling, where it ranks 27th nationally, well inside the top 10% of authorities. Investment is the one area where it sits below the UK benchmark.
Each score is averaged across the authority's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging is what makes the index a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes: a large local economy does not automatically outscore a smaller one.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Antrim and Newtownabbey's composite of 1,012 puts it modestly ahead of that national baseline. Every score is published alongside a likely range, which shows how much it could shift with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to be reliable.
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 Antrim and Newtownabbey's composite score of 1,012 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,007
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+7 points against the UK · Likely range 957–1,057 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector tags. At 1,007, Antrim and Newtownabbey sits 7 points above the UK benchmark and ranks 94th of 361 authorities, placing it in the top third nationally. Its companies are broadly in line with the UK on innovation activity, with a slight edge.
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
1,052
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+52 points against the UK · Likely range 1,009–1,095 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures scaleup status, headcount growth and accelerator participation. Antrim and Newtownabbey ranks 27th of 360 authorities here, 52 points above the UK benchmark and in the top 10% nationally. It outperforms 92.5% of authorities, meaning its companies are adding staff and hitting high-growth thresholds at a notably stronger rate than the UK 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
968
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−32 points against the UK · Likely range 923–1,013 · 30% of the composite
Investment looks at whether companies have raised equity in the last five years, how much they raised, and whether a deal was their first ever. At 968, Antrim and Newtownabbey is 32 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 106th of 360. Equity activity among local companies is somewhat below the national level, making this the area where the authority trails the UK most clearly.
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
1,036
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+36 points against the UK · Likely range 1,005–1,067 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Antrim and Newtownabbey scores 1,036, putting it 36 points above the UK benchmark and 116th of 361 authorities. Although this is the authority's lowest-ranked pillar, it still sits ahead of roughly two-thirds of authorities nationally.
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 shows how Antrim and Newtownabbey's composite score compares with its neighbouring authorities across Northern Ireland.
How does Antrim and Newtownabbey rank on the UK Local Growth Index?
It ranks 71st of 361 local authorities in the UK, scoring 1,012 against the UK benchmark of 1,000.
Which pillar is strongest for Antrim and Newtownabbey?
Scaling is the strongest pillar, with a score of 1,052 and a national rank of 27th of 360 authorities. The area sits 52 points above the UK benchmark on this measure and outperforms 92.5% of authorities.
Where does Antrim and Newtownabbey sit on investment activity?
Its Investment score of 968 is 32 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 106th of 360 authorities. Equity-raising activity among its companies is below the national level.
How does Antrim and Newtownabbey compare with the rest of Northern Ireland?
It ranks 3rd of 11 authorities in Northern Ireland, level with the regional score of 1,012.
How many companies are counted in Antrim and Newtownabbey's score?
The index covers 3,898 active companies in the area, 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 local authority's business economy across innovation, scaling, investment and ESG activity. It is not a measure of economic output or GDP; it reflects how active local companies are across those four dimensions.
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.
