Shetland Islands scores 997 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 105th of 361 local authorities and 3 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is on ESG, where it ranks 11th nationally. Scaling is also above the UK average, while Innovation and Investment both sit below it.
Each pillar score is averaged across the area's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means a smaller authority like Shetland Islands is compared on the same footing as a large city: the score reflects how active local companies are, not how big the local economy is.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Shetland Islands at 997 sits fractionally below the national benchmark. The likely range for the composite score is 954 to 1,040, which 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 Shetland Islands's composite score of 997 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
958
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−42 points against the UK · Likely range 909–1,007 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures the presence of patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant activity, and whether companies operate in innovative or IS-8 sectors. Shetland Islands ranks 228th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 42 points below the UK benchmark, suggesting its companies are less active on these innovation signals than the national average.
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
1,028
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+28 points against the UK · Likely range 956–1,100 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar measures whether companies are high-growth scaleups, their headcount growth over recent years, and accelerator participation. Shetland Islands ranks 57th of 360 authorities here, scoring 28 points above the UK benchmark and outperforming 84.2% of all authorities, a notably strong result.
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
953
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−47 points against the UK · Likely range 874–1,032 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raised in the last five years, whether companies raised equity at all, and whether any did so for the first time. Shetland Islands ranks 147th of 360 on this pillar, scoring 47 points below the UK benchmark, placing it in the middle tier nationally.
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
1,155
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+155 points against the UK · Likely range 1,080–1,230 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar reflects clean energy activity, other green activities, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxies. Shetland Islands ranks 11th of 361 authorities here, scoring 155 points above the UK benchmark and outperforming 97.0% of all authorities, by far its strongest pillar result.
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 Shetland Islands alongside its Scottish neighbours, including Orkney Islands, which scores 1,169 at the top of the Scotland ranking.
What is Shetland Islands' score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Shetland Islands scores 997 on the composite index, placing it 105th of 361 local authorities and 3 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Shetland Islands compare to the rest of Scotland?
Shetland Islands ranks 11th of 32 Scottish authorities and scores 5 points above the Scotland average of 992.
Which pillar is Shetland Islands strongest on?
ESG is its strongest pillar, where it scores 1,155, ranking 11th of 361 authorities and 155 points above the UK benchmark.
How many companies are counted in the Shetland Islands score?
The index covers 1,202 active companies in Shetland Islands, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
What does the likely range mean for Shetland Islands' score?
The likely range of 954 to 1,040 shows how much the composite score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies. Scores are only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
How does Shetland Islands rank on Scaling?
Shetland Islands ranks 57th of 360 authorities on Scaling, scoring 1,028, which is 28 points above the UK benchmark and ahead of 84.2% of all authorities.
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.
