More Australians are living with and dying from dementia than ever before, according to the latest figures. Photo: pixababy.
Dementia is now topping the list of causes of death for Australians, according to the latest update from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
The AIHW has launched its Dementia in Australia report update to coincide with Dementia Action Week (15 to 21 September), which suggests that without significant intervention, the number of Australians living with dementia will exceed 1 million by 2065.
In 2023, dementia was the leading cause of death in Australia, accounting for almost 17,400 deaths, or 9.5 per cent of all deaths.
Dementia was the leading cause of death for women and the second leading cause for men, after coronary heart disease.
Nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) of Australians with dementia are women.
“The number of deaths due to dementia increased from 8500 deaths in 2009 to 17,400 deaths in 2023,” the report states.
“This could be due to a range of factors, including greater awareness of dementia and changes in death certificate coding practices.
“The age-standardised rate, which accounts for differences in the age structure of a population, rose between 2009 and 2023, from 33 to 43 deaths per 100,000 Australians.”
In 2024, the AIHW estimated that 425,000 Australians were living with dementia, equivalent to 16 people with dementia per 1,000 Australians.
The report shows the rate of dementia rises quickly with age, from less than one person with dementia per 1000 Australians aged 30 to 59, to 210 people with dementia per 1000 Australians aged 85 to 89.
Dementia Australia chief executive officer Tanya Buchanan said the report’s update reveals the enormous impact dementia has on Australian families.
“These figures highlight just how many families are impacted by dementia across Australia. Most of us know someone who is or has been impacted by dementia,” Professor Buchanan said.
“People affected by dementia often tell us that friends and family drift away after a diagnosis, because they are unsure of how to interact.
“That’s why the theme for this year’s Dementia Action Week is ‘Nobody can do it alone’. We are challenging Australians to reconnect with someone impacted by dementia to help combat the high levels of social isolation many experience.”
Dementia was the second leading cause of burden of disease in Australia in 2024, behind coronary heart disease.
Burden of disease refers to the quantified impact of living with and dying prematurely from a disease or injury and is measured using disability-adjusted life years.
For women and for Australians aged 80 and over, dementia was the leading cause of burden of disease.
“With an ageing and growing population, it is predicted that the number of Australians with dementia will increase 2.5-fold, to over 1 million by 2065 (662,000 women and 390,000 men),” the report states.
“While 2065 may seem far away (40 years), these time frames are relevant to the early and mid-life prevention measures that can decrease the risk of developing dementia in later years.”
Dementia advocate Lil Mirtl, who lives with dementia, said the report highlighted how important it was to act now to provide the support and services for people living with dementia.
“We don’t have time to feel uncomfortable or awkward about these conversations about dementia – we need to have them now,” she said.
“We have to pull together as a community to do this. We can’t do it alone as individuals, the government can’t do it alone, we need to all act together.”
The report also reveals that 43 per cent of the dementia burden in Australia can be attributed to six modifiable risk factors: being overweight or obese, physical inactivity, high blood sugar, high blood pressure in midlife, smoking and impaired kidney function.
Professor Buchanan has called on the Federal Government to commit to funding a national conversation on dementia.
“By taking a comprehensive approach to addressing dementia, we can reduce the impact of dementia into the future,” she said.
“With aged care across the country already under pressure, and the number of people living with dementia expected to exceed 1 million by 2065, we simply cannot afford to wait.
“We call on the government to take decisive action. People living with dementia, their families and carers are depending on us to do this right, and to do it now.”
If this story has prompted any questions or concerns, call the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 (24 hours, 7 days a week) or visit Dementia Australia.
