Glasgow City scores 999 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 102nd of 361 local authorities and just 1 point below the UK benchmark of 1,000. Its companies rank in the top quarter nationally on both Innovation and Investment, while Scaling and ESG sit close to the UK average. Across all four pillars, the authority scores 7 points above the Scottish average.
Each pillar score is averaged across Glasgow City's 47,402 active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means the index reflects how active local companies are on each measure, not the sheer size of the local economy, which allows a fair comparison between authorities of very different scales.
A score of 1,000 represents the UK as a whole, so Glasgow City's 999 places it almost exactly at the national level. The likely range for the composite, 991 to 1,007, shows how much the score could 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 Glasgow City's composite score of 999 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,013
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+13 points against the UK · Likely range 1,001–1,025 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector classification. Glasgow City ranks 83rd of 361 authorities on this pillar, 13 points above the UK benchmark, placing it in the top quarter nationally and outperforming 77% 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
998
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−2 points against the UK · Likely range 988–1,008 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar measures whether companies are 20% scaleups, their headcount growth over the latest four years of accounts, and accelerator attendance. At 998, Glasgow City sits 2 points below the UK benchmark and ranks 172nd of 360 authorities, broadly in line with the national picture.
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
985
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−15 points against the UK · Likely range 972–998 · 30% of the composite
Investment captures equity-raising activity over the last five years: whether companies raised equity, how much they raised, and whether a deal was a company's first ever equity raise. This is Glasgow City's strongest relative pillar, ranking 75th of 360 authorities and outperforming 79.2% of authorities, though at 985 the score remains 15 points below the UK benchmark.
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
998
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−2 points against the UK · Likely range 989–1,007 · 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. Glasgow City ranks 223rd of 361 on ESG, 2 points below the UK benchmark, outperforming 38.2% of authorities, making this the area where its companies are least active relative to the national picture.
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 sets Glasgow City's pillar scores alongside those of its neighbouring Scottish authorities, showing where it leads and where it trails within the region.
How does Glasgow City rank in the UK Local Growth Index?
Glasgow City ranks 102nd of 361 local authorities, with a composite score of 999, placing it 1 point below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Glasgow City compare to the rest of Scotland?
Glasgow City scores 999, which is 7 points above the Scottish average of 992. It ranks 10th of the 32 Scottish local authorities.
What is Glasgow City's strongest pillar in the index?
Investment is its highest-ranked pillar, with Glasgow City placing 75th of 360 authorities and outperforming 79.2% of all local authorities on equity-raising activity.
What does the Innovation score mean for Glasgow City?
Glasgow City scores 1,013 on Innovation, 13 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 83rd of 361 authorities and placing in the top quarter nationally. Its companies are relatively active on patents, R&D grants, academic spinouts and innovative sector classification.
Why is the Glasgow City composite score close to the UK average?
The composite of 999 reflects a mix of above-average performance on Innovation and strong relative ranking on Investment, balanced against Scaling and ESG scores that sit slightly below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How many companies are counted in the Glasgow City score?
The index covers 47,402 active companies in Glasgow City, with corporate groups counted once rather than as individual 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.
