Newry, Mourne and Down scores 971 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 209th of 361 authorities and 29 points below the UK benchmark. Scaling is its strongest pillar, sitting just above the UK average, while Innovation is the area where its companies trail the benchmark most notably. All four pillar scores are published, giving a complete picture of the local business economy.
Each score is an average 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 as a whole scores 1,000, so Newry, Mourne and Down's composite of 971 sits 29 points below that national reference point. The likely range of 957 to 985 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.
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 Newry, Mourne and Down's composite score of 971 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
939
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−61 points against the UK · Likely range 920–958 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector classifications across local companies. At 939, Newry, Mourne and Down ranks 296th of 361 authorities on this pillar, sitting 61 points below the UK benchmark and outperforming only 18.0% of authorities. That places it at the weaker end of the national distribution on the characteristics that capture research activity and innovative sector presence.
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
1,009
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+9 points against the UK · Likely range 984–1,034 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies are growing headcount rapidly, have attended an accelerator, or meet the criteria for scaleup status. With a score of 1,009, the district ranks 120th of 360 authorities and sits 9 points above the UK benchmark, outperforming 66.7% of authorities. This is Newry, Mourne and Down's strongest pillar, suggesting its companies are adding staff at a rate broadly in line with, and marginally ahead of, the national 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
948
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−52 points against the UK · Likely range 920–976 · 30% of the composite
The Investment pillar covers equity raisers, the amount of equity raised, and first-time raisers over the last five years. Newry, Mourne and Down scores 948 here, ranking 167th of 360 authorities and sitting 52 points below the UK benchmark. It outperforms just over half of all authorities, placing it in the middle of the national range but with a gap to close relative to 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
1,020
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+20 points against the UK · Likely range 1,001–1,039 · 10% of the composite
ESG looks at clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxies. At 1,020, Newry, Mourne and Down ranks 155th of 361 authorities and sits 20 points above the UK benchmark, outperforming 57.1% of authorities. This is the one pillar, alongside Scaling, where the district exceeds the national reference point.
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 compares Newry, Mourne and Down's composite score of 971 with those of its neighbouring authorities across Northern Ireland.
What is Newry, Mourne and Down's UK Local Growth Index score?
The district scores 971 on the composite index, placing it 209th of 361 UK local authorities. That is 29 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Newry, Mourne and Down rank within Northern Ireland?
It ranks 11th of 11 authorities in Northern Ireland, scoring 41 points below the Northern Ireland average of 1,012. Belfast is the top-scoring authority in the region with a score of 1,088.
Which pillar is strongest for Newry, Mourne and Down?
Scaling is the district's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,009, ranking 120th of 360 authorities and sitting 9 points above the UK benchmark.
Which pillar is weakest for Newry, Mourne and Down?
Innovation is the weakest pillar, scoring 939 and ranking 296th of 361 authorities. It sits 61 points below the UK benchmark, and the district outperforms only 18.0% of authorities on this measure.
How many companies are counted in Newry, Mourne and Down's score?
The index counts 8,406 active companies in the district, with corporate groups counted once rather than as each of their registered entities.
What does the likely range mean for Newry, Mourne and Down's score?
The likely range of 957 to 985 shows how much the composite score could move with a slightly different mix of companies. A 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.
