City of Edinburgh scores 1,017 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 59th of 361 local authorities and 17 points above the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is on Investment, where it ranks 24th nationally and outperforms 93.3% of authorities. Innovation and Scaling sit close to the UK average, while ESG is the weakest pillar.
Each score is an average across the authority's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That approach means a smaller authority with highly active companies can score above a larger one, making comparisons between places of very different sizes meaningful.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so City of Edinburgh's 1,017 puts it fractionally ahead of the national benchmark. The likely range for the composite score is 1,009 to 1,025, which shows how much the score might shift with a slightly different mix of companies; a 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 City of Edinburgh's composite score of 1,017 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
995
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−5 points against the UK · Likely range 984–1,006 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector membership. City of Edinburgh ranks 119th of 361 authorities on this pillar, with a score 5 points below the UK benchmark, suggesting its companies are broadly in line with, but marginally behind, the national picture on these innovation signals.
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
1,006
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+6 points against the UK · Likely range 996–1,016 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies are high-growth scaleups, their annualised headcount growth and accelerator participation. Edinburgh ranks 134th of 360 authorities, 6 points above the UK benchmark, placing it at the midpoint nationally and indicating its companies are adding staff at a pace that edges above 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
1,060
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+60 points against the UK · Likely range 1,044–1,076 · 30% of the composite
Investment measures equity raisers, the value of equity raised and first-time raisers, all over the last five years. At 1,060, Edinburgh ranks 24th of 360 authorities and sits 60 points above the UK benchmark, outperforming 93.3% of authorities; this is clearly the pillar where its companies stand out most relative to the rest of the UK.
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
985
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−15 points against the UK · Likely range 977–993 · 10% of the composite
ESG covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and a not-for-profit proxy. Edinburgh's score of 985 sits 15 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 261st of 361 authorities, meaning it trails the majority of authorities on this pillar.
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 City of Edinburgh's composite score alongside the other authorities in Scotland.
What is City of Edinburgh's overall Local Growth Index score?
City of Edinburgh scores 1,017 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 59th of 361 local authorities. That puts it 17 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Edinburgh compare with the rest of Scotland?
Edinburgh ranks 5th of 32 Scottish authorities, scoring 25 points above the Scottish average of 992.
Which pillar is strongest for City of Edinburgh?
Investment is Edinburgh's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,060 and a national rank of 24th out of 360 authorities, placing it in the top 10% in the UK on this measure.
How many active companies are counted in City of Edinburgh?
The index covers 53,701 active companies in City of Edinburgh, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
What does the likely range on each score mean?
The likely range shows how much a score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies in the authority. A score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on; Edinburgh's composite range of 1,009 to 1,025 meets that threshold.
Where is City of Edinburgh weakest on the Local Growth Index?
ESG is Edinburgh's lowest-scoring pillar at 985, which is 15 points below the UK benchmark and ranks 261st of 361 authorities. ESG covers clean energy, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and a not-for-profit proxy.
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.
