Southampton scores 974 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 190th of 361 local authorities and 26 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. Its strongest pillar is Investment, where it outperforms 60.3% of authorities, while Scaling is the area of most relative weakness, with Southampton ranking 271st of 360 on that measure.
Each score is an average across the authority's 12,338 active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means the index reflects how active local companies are across key business characteristics, allowing a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Southampton's 974 sits 26 points below that national benchmark. The likely range of 961 to 987 shows how much the score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies; because that range is narrow enough to rely on, the score is published.
South East
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 Southampton's composite score of 974 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
982
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−18 points against the UK · Likely range 964–1,000 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector membership. Southampton ranks 150th of 361 on this pillar, scoring 982 and sitting 18 points below the UK benchmark, outperforming 58.4% of authorities. That places it in the upper half nationally, suggesting its companies show a broadly average level of innovation activity.
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
976
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−24 points against the UK · Likely range 956–996 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies qualify as scaleups, their annualised headcount growth and accelerator attendance. At 976, Southampton ranks 271st of 360 authorities and sits 24 points below the UK benchmark, outperforming just 24.7% of authorities. This is its weakest pillar, indicating that employee growth and high-growth signals are less prevalent among Southampton's companies relative to most of the country.
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
954
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−46 points against the UK · Likely range 931–977 · 30% of the composite
Investment measures equity-raising activity, the amount of equity raised and first-time raisers, all over the last five years. Southampton's score of 954 places it 143rd of 360 authorities, 46 points below the UK benchmark but still ahead of 60.3% of authorities. Despite sitting below 1,000, it is Southampton's relatively strongest pillar and shows a reasonable level of equity activity among its companies.
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
1,004
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+4 points against the UK · Likely range 987–1,021 · 10% of the composite
ESG covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and a not-for-profit proxy. Southampton scores 1,004 on this pillar, the only one where it sits above the UK benchmark, by 4 points. Ranking 205th of 361, it outperforms 43.2% of authorities, reflecting a modest but positive level of ESG-related characteristics across its companies.
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 Hampshire
The chart below sets Southampton's composite score against its Hampshire neighbours, including county runner-up Test Valley, which scores 1,093.
What is Southampton's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Southampton scores 974, placing it 190th of 361 local authorities and 26 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Southampton compare to the rest of Hampshire?
Southampton ranks 10th of 13 authorities in Hampshire and scores 26 points below the county benchmark of 1,000. Test Valley is the county's runner-up, scoring 1,093.
How does Southampton compare to the South East region?
Southampton ranks 43rd of 64 authorities in the South East and sits 29 points below the regional score of 1,003.
Which pillar is Southampton's strongest?
Investment is Southampton's strongest pillar by rank, with the authority placing 143rd of 360 and outperforming 60.3% of authorities, even though the score of 954 remains below the UK benchmark.
Where does Southampton rank on Scaling?
Southampton ranks 271st of 360 on Scaling, its weakest pillar, with a score of 976 that sits 24 points below the UK benchmark and outperforms just 24.7% of authorities.
How many companies are counted in Southampton's score?
The score covers 12,338 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as each individual registered entity.
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.
