Global Dementia Statistics Spell Urgency

The Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) is a nonprofit organization based in London, and includes 71 national Alzheimer’s organizations. They study not only Alzheimer’s, but the other forms of dementia as well. The organization believes that this staggering new information and new dementia statistics show that the disease is growing “at an alarming rate,” and that we are “facing an emergency” globally.

You can find a link to the PDF file of this 2009 report at the end of this article.

Here is a summary of the dementia statistics, including for Alzheimer’s Disease, one of the most common types of dementia worldwide.

• There are an estimated 35 million people worldwide who currently have dementia.
• This new estimation is around 10% higher than previously predicted since not as much information was available for developing countries due to hiding symptoms of dementia, stigma, under-diagnosis, and inability to recognize it.
• Per the 2009 Report, dementia statistics show that this “can be called an epidemic that is increasing its pace with the ‘graying’ of the population around the world.” Dementia is therefore an extremely urgent elderly issue.
• Per the Alzheimer’s Association, “Every 70 seconds, someone will develop Alzheimer's.”
• Dementia statistics project that dementia will double every 20 years.
• This means in the year 2030, 65.7 million people worldwide will have dementia.
• In 2059 about 115.4 million will have dementia.
• In the next 20 years dementia will increase by 63% in North America.
• It will increase by 40% in Europe.
• It will increase by 77% in Southern Latin America, and 134-146% in the rest of Latin America.
• It will increase by 89% in the Asian Pacific; 117% in East Asia; and 107% in South Asia.
• It will increase by 125% in Northern Africa and the Middle East.
• During the years up until 2020, the aging population will have increased by 200% in low and middle income countries.
• In the developed world, the aging population will increase by 68%.
• In 2010 about 57.7% of all dementia sufferers will be in low to middle income countries.
• This is an increase of 10 percent from 2005, when the last major estimation was made.
• Approximately 5.3 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s.
• In 2005, the approximated cost of dementia worldwide was about $315 billion yearly.
• About $227 billion (72% of the total) pertains to high income countries.
• Dementia statistics indicate that Alzheimer’s is the seventh leading cause of death in America.
• About 13% of Americans over age 65 have Alzheimer’s.
• There are around 77 million Americans reaching the risk age for dementia.
• About 50% of those over age 85 have or will develop Alzheimer’s.

• It is likely about one out of six women over age 55 in the U.S. will develop this disease. (In the U.S. women live about 5 years longer than men.)
• The risk of dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s, is increased as we age, and of course populations are now living longer. Other causes of dementia may include heart disease, stroke, obesity, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
• Around 85% of couples in Europe, where only one of the couple has dementia, live on their own.
• Everyone who suffers from symptoms of dementia also has some level of disability with daily functions.
• Dementia statistics show that more than three-fourths of nursing home residents have dementia.
• Within all residential care homes, about one-third to one-half have dementia and symptoms of dementia.
• In lower income countries that do not have healthcare plans to deal with this and many other elderly issues, informal dementia care is given by families. The costs per dementia sufferer are estimated at about $1521 annually.
• Per the report’s dementia statistics, in high income countries, annual dementia treatment and caregiving costs are about $17,964 annually.
• This report cited 27 studies that showed 7.4 hours per day can be given for the various duties and needs of the patient, from washing, dressing, grooming and toileting; to cooking, shopping, laundry and financial help; to general supervision.
• Caregivers did report positive consequences of caregiving duties: 23% cited companionship, 13% included fulfillment, and 13% included enjoyment.

The ADI recommends that the World Health Organization (WHO) should declare dementia “a world health priority.”

The care and cost of dementia puts an incredible burden on society and the family; and research, as well as healthcare solutions, should be a priority.

The report states: “The healthcare needs of older people have for too long been under-prioritized in global public health policy.”

And “ …chronic non-communicable diseases are rapidly becoming the dominant causes of ill health in all developing regions except Sub-Saharan Africa.” The report believes that dementia is becoming an “epidemic.”

With all this to consider, it becomes evident that the care of elderly, especially healthcare considerations, is a serious matter now and in the future. A new emphasis has now been placed on governments and health organizations worldwide to find solutions to what the ASI has determined to be a problem of epidemic proportions.

Click on the link to access the 24-page PDF file of the
Executive Summary of the World Alzheimer Report 2009.

Click on the link to access the 96-page PDF file of the
Full 2009 World Alzheimer Report.


Be sure to also read our other important articles on dementia:

Symptoms of Dementia -- You may be familiar with the obvious symptoms of dementia. But it's way more than just forgetfulness or losing keys.
Causes of Dementia -- The causes of dementia actually change the brain, sometimes irreversibly. But there are important precautions you can take.
The Stages of Dementia - Sometimes Predictable -- The stages of dementia depend on each individual person. Many factors are involved on how dementia outplays itself. But some things are predictable. Do you know what they are?
Dementia Treatment -- Dementia treatment may be possible, if detected in time. Learn what the options are.
Dementia Screening -- Did you know about half of mild dementia cases slip through the cracks? Dementia screening is important since dementia is sometimes treatable. Unless it is too late.

Return from Global Dementia Statistics Spell Urgency
back to Dementia Overview