Worthing ranks 122nd of 361 UK local authorities, with a composite score of 991, placing it 9 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is on Investment, where it ranks 62nd nationally and outperforms more than four in five authorities. Scaling is the area where local companies are furthest behind the UK average.
The composite score is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted at 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively.
Each score is an average across active companies in the area, with corporate groups counted once. That approach means a place with 7,557 active companies can be compared fairly with a much larger or smaller authority, because the score reflects how active local companies are, not the overall size of the local economy.
The UK benchmark is set at 1,000, so Worthing's score of 991 sits just below the national average. Every score also comes with a likely range, which shows how much the result could move with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
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 Worthing's composite score of 991 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
989
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−11 points against the UK · Likely range 970–1,008 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, innovative sector tagging and IS-8 sector presence. Worthing's Innovation score of 989 sits 11 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 126th of 361 authorities and placing it in the top half nationally. Local companies outperform 65.1% of authorities on this pillar, suggesting a broadly average but slightly below-benchmark level of innovative 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
984
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−16 points against the UK · Likely range 958–1,010 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies are high-growth scaleups, their three-year headcount growth rate, and accelerator participation. At 984, Worthing's Scaling score is 16 points below the UK benchmark, its weakest relative position across all four pillars. Ranking 234th of 360 authorities, the area outperforms only 35.0% of peers, pointing to slower workforce expansion among local companies than seen across much of 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
999
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−1 points against the UK · Likely range 964–1,034 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the value of equity raised and first-time raisers, all within the last five years. Worthing's Investment score of 999 is just 1 point below the UK benchmark, and at 62nd of 360 authorities it sits in the top 20% nationally. The area outperforms 82.8% of all authorities on this pillar, making equity activity the clearest relative strength of Worthing's business economy.
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
998
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−2 points against the UK · Likely range 977–1,019 · 10% of the composite
ESG reflects clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Worthing's ESG score of 998 is 2 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 226th of 361 authorities. While close to the national average in absolute terms, it outperforms only 37.4% of authorities, indicating that ESG-related characteristics among local companies are somewhat less prevalent than in many other parts of the UK.
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 West Sussex
The chart below shows how Worthing's composite score of 991 sits alongside its West Sussex neighbours, including the county runner-up Horsham at 1,020.
Worthing has a composite score of 991, placing it 9 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000 and 122nd of 361 local authorities.
How does Worthing compare to other West Sussex authorities?
Worthing ranks 6th of 7 authorities in West Sussex, scoring 4 points below the county average of 995. The county runner-up, Horsham, scores 1,020.
How does Worthing compare to the South East region?
Worthing ranks 35th of 64 authorities in the South East and scores 12 points below the regional average of 1,003.
What is Worthing's strongest pillar in the Local Growth Index?
Investment is Worthing's strongest pillar, with a score of 999 that is just 1 point below the UK benchmark and ranks 62nd of 360 authorities, placing it in the top 20% nationally.
Where does Worthing rank on Scaling?
Scaling is Worthing's weakest pillar, ranked 234th of 360 authorities with a score of 984, which is 16 points below the UK benchmark.
How many companies are counted in Worthing's score?
The index covers 7,557 active companies in Worthing, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
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.
