World Statistics

Numbers

• In 2009, there are an estimated 30 million people with dementia, with the number expected to be 100 million by 2050.
• It is estimated there will be 4.6 million new cases of dementia every year (one new case every 7 seconds). The numbers of people affected will double every 20 years to 81.1 million by 2040.

Costs

• The total worldwide societal cost of dementia, on the basis of a dementia population of 29.3 million persons, was estimated to be US$315.4 billion in 2005, including US$105 billion for informal care (37%). 77% of the total costs occurred in the more developed regions, with 46% of the prevalence. Informal caregiving time is based on basic Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) (1.6 hours per day). This equals US$3506 per person with dementia.
• Successful campaigns to have dementia recognised by legislators and policymakers as a Health Priority are being run and won in Europe, the UK, Scotland, Australia, the US and elsewhere.