Dementia is now claiming the lives of dozens of Australians every day, with new figures revealing the scale of a growing national health crisis – and the pressure it is placing on families, carers and the health system.
Data released today (February 5, 2026) by Dementia Australia shows an estimated 446,500 Australians are living with dementia in 2026, a number projected to more than double to over one million people by 2065 if current trends continue.
Dementia is already Australia’s leading cause of death, with more than 17,000 Australians dying from the condition each year – the equivalent of around 45 to 50 deaths every single day, or more than 300 deaths each week.
A decade ago, dementia-related deaths were significantly lower. In 2015, about 12,000 Australians died from dementia, meaning the daily death toll has risen by more than a third in just 10 years – a stark reflection of Australia’s ageing population and the growing prevalence of the disease.
Dementia Australia chief executive Professor Tanya Buchanan said the figures should serve as a wake-up call.
“With the number of people developing dementia rapidly increasing, and dementia now the leading cause of death for Australians, we need to act now,” Professor Buchanan said.
She warned that while Australia is recognised internationally for strengths in dementia care and research, major gaps remain – particularly in support services and workforce capability.
The new data also highlights that dementia is not just a condition of older age. An estimated 29,000 Australians are currently living with young onset dementia, diagnosed between the ages of 18 and 65. That number is projected to rise to 41,000 by 2054. In addition, around 1,500 children are living with childhood dementia.
Professor Buchanan said urgent and sustained investment was needed to implement the National Dementia Action Plan, a 10-year framework released by the Federal Government in late 2024.
“There is a critical demand for a national program to promote brain health throughout our lives, as well as quality care and support services for people of all ages living with dementia, their families and carers,” she said.
Dementia Australia is calling on the Federal Government to fund key priorities under the plan, including a national brain health campaign, the rollout of Dementia Care Navigators to help people access services sooner, and improved training for the aged care and health workforce.
Dementia Advocate Rebecca Scouller, who cares for her mother Charlotte following an Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2017, said the condition was likely to affect most Australian families in some way.
“Dementia is likely to touch all our lives at some point in time,” Ms Scouller said. “We need urgent investment now.”
Dementia Australia says more than 1.7 million Australians are currently involved in the care of someone living with dementia, a number that will continue to rise alongside the growing death toll unless action is taken.
If this story has prompted questions or concerns, support is available through the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or via dementia.org.au.
IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.