Scottish Borders scores 977 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 172nd of 361 local authorities and 23 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is a standout ESG score, which ranks 18th nationally. Innovation and Investment both sit below the UK benchmark, keeping the composite in the lower half of Scottish authorities.
Each score is an average across the area's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means a small authority and a large one can be compared fairly: the score reflects how active local companies are, not how large the local economy is.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Scottish Borders at 977 sits a little below that national reference point. The likely range of 957 to 997 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 Scottish Borders's composite score of 977 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
948
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−52 points against the UK · Likely range 923–973 · 30% of the composite
Innovation is scored on patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tagging and IS-8 sector membership. Scottish Borders ranks 269th of 361 authorities on this pillar, with a score of 948, placing it 52 points below the UK benchmark and outperforming only around a quarter of authorities nationally.
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
985
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−15 points against the UK · Likely range 953–1,017 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar captures whether companies are classed as scaleups, their headcount growth over the latest four years of accounts, and accelerator attendance. At 985, Scottish Borders sits 15 points below the UK benchmark and ranks 229th of 360 authorities, its closest result to the national average across the four pillars.
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 910–986 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the amount of equity raised in the last five years, and first-time raisers. Scottish Borders scores 948 here, 52 points below the UK benchmark, yet its rank of 168th of 360 authorities means it outperforms a majority of areas nationally, reflecting a broadly distributed spread of equity activity rather than concentration at the top.
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
1,128
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+128 points against the UK · Likely range 1,090–1,166 · 10% of the composite
ESG measures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Scottish Borders ranks 18th of 361 authorities with a score of 1,128, placing it 128 points above the UK benchmark and in the top 5% nationally, the clear standout across its 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 Scottish Borders compares with its neighbouring authorities across Scotland.
What is the Scottish Borders score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Scottish Borders scores 977, placing it 172nd of 361 local authorities and 23 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Scottish Borders rank within Scotland?
It ranks 16th of 32 Scottish local authorities, scoring 15 points below the Scotland average of 992.
Which pillar is strongest for Scottish Borders?
ESG is by far the strongest pillar, with a score of 1,128 that sits 128 points above the UK benchmark and ranks 18th nationally out of 361 authorities.
Where does Scottish Borders rank on Innovation?
It ranks 269th of 361 authorities on Innovation, with a score of 948, placing it 52 points below the UK benchmark and outperforming around a quarter of authorities.
How many active companies are counted in Scottish Borders?
The index covers 4,528 active companies in Scottish Borders, with corporate groups counted once rather than as each of their registered entities.
What does the likely range mean for the Scottish Borders score?
The likely range of 957 to 997 shows how much the composite score could move with a slightly different mix of companies. Scores are only published when that range is narrow enough to be reliable.
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.
