Dementia to affect more than one million Australians by 2066

Dementia remains Australia’s leading cause of death, with new national data showing the disease’s impact is growing faster than almost any other major health condition.

Australia’s dementia challenge is becoming increasingly urgent, with new figures revealing the number of people living with the condition could climb to almost 1.1 million within the next four decades.

Updated data released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) shows dementia remains Australia’s leading cause of death and is now the nation’s second biggest contributor to overall disease burden, behind only coronary heart disease.

The report estimates around 446,500 Australians were living with dementia in 2024. Without significant advances in prevention, treatment or care, that number is projected to almost triple to around 1.1 million by 2066.

Disease burden is a measure that combines the impact of illness, disability and premature death to show how much a condition affects people’s lives.

The latest figures also highlight how rapidly dementia has climbed Australia’s health rankings. In 2011, it was the country’s fifth-leading cause of disease burden. Today it sits second, reflecting Australia’s ageing population and the growing number of people living longer with dementia.

Professor Tanya Buchanan, CEO of Dementia Australia, said the findings demonstrated why dementia needed greater national attention.

“The report highlights the clear and growing impact of dementia as a chronic disease. There is no time to lose when it comes to investing in dementia services, supports and prevention,” she said.

Professor Buchanan said funding had not kept pace with the growing number of Australians affected by dementia.

“Dementia is a leading public health issue, but it still doesn’t receive the recognition and funding it needs,” she said.

She said the latest figures reinforced the need to fully implement Australia’s National Dementia Action Plan and invest in dementia-specific services for patients, families and carers.

According to Dementia Australia, an estimated 1.7 million Australians are involved in supporting someone living with dementia, highlighting the condition’s impact well beyond those diagnosed.

The organisation is also calling for a national brain health campaign aimed at raising awareness of dementia risk factors and encouraging earlier action to help reduce future cases.

If this story has raised concerns about dementia, support and information are available through the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 or via Dementia Australia’s website.

Also check out Personalised Dementia Support Helps Carers and Their Loved Ones