Dementia statistics and epidemiology
Dementia is one of the fastest growing conditions in Australia, with incidence expected to rise steadily in coming years.
Dementia statistics in Australia - a snapshot
- Dementia is the second leading cause of death of all Australians and provisional data is showing that dementia will soon likely be the leading cause of death.[1]
- There are an estimated more than 400,000 Australians living with dementia. [1]
- This number is expected to increase to more than 800,000 by 2058. [1]
- There are an estimated more than 28,650 people in Australia with younger onset dementia (a diagnosis of dementia under the age of 65). [2]
- On average symptoms of dementia are noticed by families three years before a firm diagnosis is made *
* The time between onset of dementia symptoms and diagnosis is often prolonged, leading to years of uncertainty for patients and their families. Research has shown that the average time from first symptoms to diagnosis, - as reported by informants/family - is between 1 and 3 years with symptoms recorded in general practitioners’ medical records as early as 5 years before diagnosis.