Harlow scores 948 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 303rd of 361 local authorities and 52 points below the UK benchmark. Scaling is its strongest pillar, sitting closest to the national average, while Investment is the weakest, falling 89 points below the UK. All four pillar scores are published.
Each score is averaged across active companies in the area, with corporate groups counted once, which means a place with fewer but more active businesses can score higher than a larger economy with many inactive ones. That makes the index a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK benchmark is set at 1,000, so any score above that means local companies are more active than the national average across these measures, and any score below means the reverse. Harlow's composite of 948 sits below that benchmark. The likely range of 936 to 960 shows how much the score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies, and a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
East of England
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 Harlow's composite score of 948 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
949
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−51 points against the UK · Likely range 930–968 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tagging and IS-8 sector coverage. Harlow ranks 268th of 361 authorities on this pillar, with a score of 949, placing it 51 points below the UK benchmark. Its companies outperform roughly a quarter of all authorities on this measure.
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
980
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−20 points against the UK · Likely range 957–1,003 · 30% of the composite
Scaling covers whether companies are high-growth scaleups, their annualised headcount growth and accelerator participation. At 980, Harlow's Scaling score is just 20 points below the UK benchmark, making it the authority's strongest pillar and its closest point of parity with the national average. It ranks 253rd of 360 authorities on this measure.
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
911
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−89 points against the UK · Likely range 887–935 · 30% of the composite
Investment tracks equity raisers, the value of equity raised and first-time raisers over the last five years. Harlow's score of 911 is 89 points below the UK benchmark, its largest gap across any pillar, and it ranks 318th of 360 authorities. Only around one in nine authorities score lower on this dimension.
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
960
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−40 points against the UK · Likely range 942–978 · 10% of the composite
ESG captures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and a not-for-profit proxy. Harlow scores 960 on this pillar, 40 points below the UK benchmark, and ranks 311th of 361 authorities. It outperforms approximately 14% of all authorities on these measures.
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 Essex
The chart below places Harlow's composite score alongside its neighbours in Essex, where it ranks 10th of 14 authorities with a score 8 points below the county average of 956.
What is Harlow's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Harlow scores 948, placing it 303rd of 361 local authorities and 52 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Harlow compare to the rest of Essex?
Harlow ranks 10th of 14 authorities in Essex and scores 8 points below the county average of 956.
Which pillar is Harlow strongest on?
Scaling is Harlow's strongest pillar, with a score of 980, just 20 points below the UK benchmark. It ranks 253rd of 360 authorities on that measure.
Where does Harlow rank on Investment?
Investment is Harlow's weakest pillar. It scores 911, which is 89 points below the UK benchmark, and ranks 318th of 360 authorities.
How many companies are counted in Harlow's score?
The index counts 8,369 active companies in Harlow, with corporate groups counted once rather than as each of their registered entities.
What does the UK Local Growth Index actually measure?
It measures the characteristics of a place's business economy across four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG. It is not a measure of economic output or GDP.
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.
