Dementia now accounts for one in 10 Australian deaths

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 05:02 · Archive

Dementia has become Australia's leading cause of death, accounting for more than 10 per cent of all deaths for the first time.

Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, became Australia's leading cause of death in 2024, overtaking coronary heart disease. The disease killed more than 19,000 Australians in the latest figures, representing the first time dementia has accounted for more than 10 per cent of all deaths in Australia.

Women are more likely to die from dementia than men, with the disease the leading cause of deaths for women since 2016. In the latest figures, women made up 61 per cent of dementia deaths. The death rate from the disease has almost doubled since 2006, when it was the fourth leading cause.

Dementia Australia chief executive Tanya Buchanan called for more recognition and funding to support people with dementia and their families and carers. There are an estimated 446,500 Australians currently living with the disease, with a further 1.7 million people involved in their care. Without significant intervention, this is expected to increase to more than one million by 2065.

The other leading causes of death in 2025 were coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular diseases including strokes, lung cancer and chronic respiratory diseases.

How it is being reported

• Dementia deaths mark grim milestone in latest figuresFor the first time, dementia has accounted for more than one in 10 deaths of Australians after becoming the country's biggest killer in 2024.Perth Now · 27 Oct, 04:23
• Dementia deaths mark grim milestone in latest figuresFor the first time, dementia has accounted for more than one in 10 deaths of Australians after becoming the country's biggest killer in 2024.The West Australian · 27 Oct, 04:23

In this story: Australia · Dementia Australia · Australian Bureau of Statistics · Tanya Buchanan · Lauren Moran

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