Belfast ranks 15th of 361 UK local authorities on the Local Growth Index, with a composite score of 1,088, placing it 88 points above the UK benchmark. It leads all 11 Northern Ireland authorities and sits firmly in the top 5% nationally. Its strongest result is in Innovation, where it ranks 13th in the UK.
The composite score is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted at 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively.
Each pillar score is averaged across Belfast's 18,377 active companies, with corporate groups counted once. This means the index reflects how active local companies are on each measure, not how large the local economy is, which allows a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000 on every pillar and on the composite, so Belfast's score of 1,088 sits 88 points clear of that benchmark. The likely range of 1,071 to 1,105 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 Belfast's composite score of 1,088 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,120
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+120 points against the UK · Likely range 1,092–1,148 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, presence in innovative sectors and coverage of IS-8 sectors. Belfast ranks 13th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 1,120, which is 120 points above the UK benchmark and places it in the top 5% nationally. This signals that its companies show notably stronger innovation activity across these measures than the vast majority of UK local 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
1,076
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+76 points against the UK · Likely range 1,055–1,097 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar captures whether companies qualify as scaleups, their headcount growth over recent years and accelerator attendance. Belfast ranks 14th of 360 authorities here, with a score of 1,076, some 76 points above the UK benchmark. Its companies are adding staff and reaching growth thresholds at a rate that puts Belfast comfortably in the top 5% in the UK.
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
1,070
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+70 points against the UK · Likely range 1,042–1,098 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the value of equity raised and first-time raisers, all over the last five years. Belfast scores 1,070 on this pillar, 70 points above the UK, and ranks 20th of 360 authorities, placing it in the top 10%. That result indicates its companies attract external equity investment at a meaningfully higher rate than the UK as a whole.
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
1,078
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+78 points against the UK · Likely range 1,063–1,093 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar reflects clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxies. Belfast scores 1,078 here, 78 points above the UK benchmark, and ranks 67th of 361 authorities. While still well ahead of the national benchmark and in the top 20%, this is Belfast's relatively weakest pillar compared with its top-five standings in Innovation and Scaling.
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 shows how Belfast's composite score of 1,088 compares with its Northern Ireland neighbours, including the nearest authority, Lisburn and Castlereagh, which scores 1,015.
Belfast scores 1,088 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 88 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000. It ranks 15th of 361 local authorities nationally.
How does Belfast compare with other Northern Ireland authorities?
Belfast ranks 1st of the 11 Northern Ireland authorities, scoring 76 points above the regional score of 1,012. The nearest authority is Lisburn and Castlereagh, which scores 1,015.
Which pillar is Belfast's strongest?
Innovation is Belfast's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,120 and a national rank of 13th out of 361 authorities. That puts it in the top 5% of all UK local authorities on this measure.
What does the Local Growth Index measure?
The Local Growth Index measures the characteristics of a place's companies across four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG. It does not measure economic output or GDP.
How many companies are included in Belfast's score?
Belfast's scores are based on 18,377 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as each of their registered entities.
What does the likely range mean for Belfast's score?
The likely range of 1,071 to 1,105 shows how much the composite score could move with a slightly different mix of companies. Scores are only published when this 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.
