62 Dementia Facts and Statistics

Published On

December 7, 2023

Disturbing global dementia statistics revealed! Explore the impact, rising cases, and economic burden of this prevalent condition.

Dementia is a devastating disease that affects millions of people worldwide. It is a progressive brain disorder that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. In this article, we will provide you with 62 dementia statistics that you need to know.

Top 10 Key Dementia Statistics

Dementia is a degenerative neurological disease that affects memory, thinking, and behavior.
It is the 7th leading cause of death worldwide.
Every year, there are approximately 10 million new cases of dementia.
Currently, there are 50 million people living with dementia worldwide.
By 2050, it is estimated that there will be over 152 million people living with dementia.
Women are more likely to develop dementia than men, with 2/3 of people with dementia being women.
Dementia is more prevalent in low and middle-income countries, where 60% of people with dementia live.
The global cost of dementia care is estimated to be $1 trillion per year.
There is currently no cure for dementia, but early diagnosis and intervention can improve quality of life for patients and their caregivers.
Research into the causes and treatments for dementia is ongoing, but more funding and public awareness are needed to address this growing public health crisis.

Alzheimer's Disease Statistics

Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of all cases.
Currently, 6.2 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease.
By 2050, the number of Americans with Alzheimer's disease is expected to reach 13.8 million.
Alzheimer's disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States.
In 2020, the cost of caring for people with Alzheimer's disease in the United States was $305 billion.
Alzheimer's disease is more common in people over the age of 65, with 1 in 9 people in this age group having Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's disease is more common in women than men, with 2/3 of Americans with Alzheimer's disease being women.
The risk of developing Alzheimer's disease doubles every 5 years after the age of 65.

Vascular Dementia Statistics

Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia, accounting for 20% of all cases.
Vascular dementia is caused by a reduction in blood flow to the brain.
Vascular dementia is more common in men than women.
People with high blood pressure are more likely to develop vascular dementia.

Lewy Body Dementia Statistics

Lewy body dementia is the third most common type of dementia, accounting for 10-25% of all cases.
Lewy body dementia is caused by abnormal protein deposits in the brain.
Lewy body dementia is more common in men than women.

Frontotemporal Dementia Statistics

Frontotemporal dementia is a rare type of dementia that affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.
Frontotemporal dementia is more common in people under the age of 65.
Frontotemporal dementia is more common in men than women.

Dementia Statistics by Gender

Women make up nearly two-thirds (66%) of all people living with dementia worldwide.
In the United States, women account for almost three-quarters (72%) of Alzheimer's disease cases.
Men with dementia tend to be diagnosed at a younger age than women.
In low- and middle-income countries, where the majority of people with dementia live, women are also more likely to be affected than men.
Male caregivers are more likely to experience burden and depression than female caregivers.
Women caregivers may experience higher levels of emotional distress and social isolation than male caregivers.
More research is needed to understand the gender differences in dementia risk, diagnosis, and caregiving experiences.

Dementia Statistics Demographics

Dementia disproportionately affects older adults, with the majority of cases occurring in people over the age of 65.
In the United States, African Americans and Hispanic/Latinx individuals are more likely to develop dementia than non-Hispanic white individuals.
People with a lower level of education or literacy are at higher risk for developing dementia.
Veterans are also at higher risk for developing dementia, especially those who have experienced traumatic brain injuries (TBI) during their service.
Family history is a significant risk factor for dementia, with those who have a first-degree relative with dementia being at an increased risk themselves.
People who live in rural areas may be at higher risk for developing dementia due to limited access to healthcare resources and social isolation.
LGBT+ individuals may also be at higher risk for developing dementia due to higher rates of depression, anxiety, and social isolation compared to their heterosexual counterparts.

Dementia Statistics by State

California has the highest number of people living with Alzheimer's disease, with over 690,000 cases.
Texas has the second-highest number of people living with Alzheimer's disease, with over 390,000 cases.
Florida has the highest percentage of older adults (age 65+) living with Alzheimer's disease, at 13.1%.
Vermont has the highest percentage of deaths due to Alzheimer's disease, at 16.4%.
Alaska has the lowest prevalence of Alzheimer's disease in older adults (age 65+), at 5.7%.
Hawaii has the lowest death rate due to Alzheimer's disease, at 12.9 deaths per 100,000 people.
New York has the highest cost of caring for people with dementia in a nursing home setting, at an average annual cost of $159,853.

Dementia Statistics Worldwide

In 2020, there were an estimated 10 million new cases of dementia worldwide.
Dementia is projected to become the leading cause of disability and dependency among older adults globally by 2030.
The number of people living with dementia in Africa is expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050.
Asia has the largest number of people living with dementia, accounting for approximately two-thirds (66%) of the global total.
By region, Europe has the highest prevalence of dementia in older adults, at approximately 7.5%.
Latin America and the Caribbean have the lowest prevalence of dementia in older adults, at approximately 5.1%.
The global economic impact of dementia is estimated to be around $1 trillion per year, which is equivalent to more than one percent of global gross domestic product (GDP).

Dementia Statistics Mortality

Dementia is the 7th leading cause of death worldwide.
In the United States, Alzheimer's disease is the 6th leading cause of death.
In the United Kingdom, dementia and Alzheimer's disease combined are the leading cause of death.
Approximately 1 in 3 seniors dies with some form of dementia.
The mortality rate for people with dementia is three times higher than for those without dementia.
People with dementia have an increased risk of dying from other health conditions, such as pneumonia and falls.
The average lifespan after a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is approximately 8 years.

Other Dementia Statistics

There are over 100 different types of dementia.
Dementia can also be caused by Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
Down syndrome increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
Traumatic brain injury can also increase the risk of developing dementia.

Conclusion

Dementia is a complex and multifaceted disease that affects not only the person with the diagnosis, but also their family, friends, and caregivers. It is a disease that requires compassion, patience, and understanding. While there is currently no cure for dementia, there are many ways to improve the quality of life for those living with the disease.

From early diagnosis and intervention to ongoing support and care, there are many resources available to help those affected by dementia. Let us continue to raise awareness and advocate for those living with this devastating disease.