Cardiff ranks 27th of 361 local authorities in the UK Local Growth Index, scoring 47 points above the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is on Investment, where it ranks 23rd nationally. All four pillars sit above the UK benchmark, making it the top-ranked authority in Wales.
Each score is averaged across the authority's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That approach means a place with fewer but more active companies can score just as highly as a larger economy, making the index a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000 on each measure, so Cardiff's composite of 1,047 places its companies noticeably ahead of the national average. The likely range of 1,034 to 1,060 shows how much the score could move with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
Wales
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 Cardiff's composite score of 1,047 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,059
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+59 points against the UK · Likely range 1,040–1,078 · 30% of the composite
Innovation tracks patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector membership. Cardiff ranks 31st of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 59 points above the UK benchmark and placing it in the top 10% nationally, ahead of 91.4% 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
1,031
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+31 points against the UK · Likely range 1,015–1,047 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies are 20% scaleups, their headcount growth over four years of accounts, and whether they have attended an accelerator. Cardiff ranks 51st of 360 authorities, scoring 31 points above the UK benchmark. That puts it in the top 20% nationally, indicating its companies are adding staff at a pace ahead of the UK 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
1,061
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+61 points against the UK · Likely range 1,036–1,086 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the amount of equity raised in the last five years, and first-time raisers. At 61 points above the UK benchmark and ranked 23rd of 360 authorities, this is Cardiff's strongest pillar, with its companies outperforming 93.6% of all authorities on equity activity.
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
1,022
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+22 points against the UK · Likely range 1,009–1,035 · 10% of the composite
ESG captures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxies. Cardiff scores 22 points above the UK benchmark here, ranking 147th of 361 authorities. While still ahead of the national average, this is its weakest pillar relative to the others, with more room to close the gap on higher-ranked authorities.
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 Wales
The chart below compares Cardiff's composite score with neighbouring authorities across Wales.
Cardiff scores 1,047 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 27th of 361 local authorities and 47 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Cardiff rank in Wales?
Cardiff ranks 1st of 22 authorities in Wales, scoring 51 points above the Wales average of 996.
What does Cardiff score on Innovation?
Cardiff's Innovation score is 1,059, ranking 31st nationally and placing it in the top 10% of all UK local authorities. Innovation measures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector membership.
How does Cardiff perform on Investment?
Investment is Cardiff's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,061 and a national rank of 23rd out of 360 authorities. The pillar measures equity raisers, equity raised and first-time raisers over the last five years.
How many active companies are counted in Cardiff's score?
The index counts 21,570 active companies in Cardiff, with corporate groups counted once rather than as individual registered entities.
What is Cardiff's ESG score and what does it measure?
Cardiff scores 1,022 on ESG, ranking 147th of 361 authorities and 22 points above the UK benchmark. The pillar covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxies.
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.
