Dementia facts and figures
Key points
Dementia is the second leading cause of death of all Australians1. Provisional data suggests dementia will soon be the leading cause of death.2
Dementia is the leading cause of death for Australian women.3
In 2025 there are an estimated 433,300 Australians living with dementia. Without a significant intervention, the number of people with dementia is expected to increase to an estimated 812,500 by 2054.4
In 2025 there are an estimated 29,000 people living with younger onset dementia, expected to increase to an estimated 41,000 people by 2054. This can include people in their 30s, 40s and 50s.5
An estimated 1.7 million people in Australia are involved in the care of someone living with dementia. 6
2 in 3 people with dementia are thought to be living in the community.7
54% of people living in permanent residential aged care have dementia. 8
What is dementia?
Dementia is the term used to describe the symptoms of a large group of illnesses which cause a progressive decline in a person’s functioning. It is a broad term used to describe a loss of memory, intellect, rationality, social skills and physical functioning. There are many types of dementia including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia and Lewy body disease. Dementia can happen to anybody, but it is more common after the age of 65.
Prevalence of all forms of dementia
Prevalence summary – National, State and Territory – all forms of dementia
Federal Electoral Divisions - Prevalence Data Estimates 2025-2054
State and Territory Electoral Divisions – Prevalence Data Estimates 2025-2054
Local Government Areas – Prevalence Data Estimates 2025-2054
In 2025 there are an estimated 433,300 people living with all forms of dementia in Australia. This figure is projected to increase to an estimated 812,500 by 2054 with a projected percentage change of 88%.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT): In 2025 there are an estimated 6,100 people living with all forms of dementia. This figure is projected to increase to an estimated 12,300 by 2054 with a projected percentage change of 102%.
New South Wales (NSW): In 2025 there are an estimated 141,800 people living with all forms of dementia. This figure is projected to increase to an estimated 252,800 by 2054 with a projected percentage change of 78%.
Northern Territory (NT): In 2025 there are an estimated 1,800 people living with all forms of dementia. This figure is projected to increase to an estimated 3,600 by 2054 with a projected percentage change of 100%.
Queensland (QLD): In 2025 the are an estimated 85,200 people living with all forms of dementia. This figure is projected to increase to an estimated 168,300 by 2054 with a projected percentage change of 98%.
South Australia (SA): In 2025 there are an estimated 35,000 people living with all forms of dementia. This figure is projected to increase to an estimated 55,600 by 2054 with a projected percentage change of 59%.
Tasmania (TAS): In 2025 there are an estimated 10,900 people living with all forms of dementia. This figure is projected to increase to an estimated 16,500 by 2054 with a projected percentage change of 51%.
Victoria (VIC): In 2025 there are an estimated 110,600 people living with all forms of dementia. This figure is projected to increase to an estimated 216,400 by 2054 with a projected percentage change of 96%.
Western Australia (WA): In 2025 there are an estimated 42,000 people living with all forms of dementia. This figure is projected to increase to an estimated 87,000 by 2054 with a projected percentage change of 107%.
Prevalence of younger onset dementia
Dementia Prevalence Data Estimates – Younger onset dementia 2025-2054
Younger onset dementia refers to diagnosis of any form of dementia in a person under age 65.
In 2025 there are an estimated 29,000 people living with younger onset dementia in Australia. Without a significant intervention, the number of people with dementia is expected to increase to an estimated 41,000 by 2054 with a projected percentage change of 41%.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT): In 2025 there are an estimated 430 people living with younger onset dementia. This figure is projected to increase to an estimated 650 by 2054, with a projected percentage change of 51%.
New South Wales (NSW): In 2025 there are an estimated 9,200 people living with younger onset dementia. This figure is projected to increase to an estimated 12,800 by 2054 with a projected percentage change of 39%.
Northern Territory (NT): In 2025 there are an estimated 240 people living with younger onset dementia. This figure is projected to increase to an estimated 360 by 2054 with a projected percentage change of 50%.
Queensland (QLD): In 2025 there are an estimated 5,900 people living with younger onset dementia. This figure is projected to increase to an estimated 8,300 by 2054 with a projected percentage change of 41%.
South Australia (SA): In 2025 there are an estimated 2,100 people living with younger onset dementia. This figure is projected to increase to an estimated 2,300 by 2054 with a projected percentage change of 10%.
Tasmania (TAS): In 2025 there are an estimated 700 people living with younger onset dementia. This figure is projected to remain at an estimated 700 by 2054.
Victoria (VIC): In 2025 there are an estimated 7,400 people living with younger onset dementia. This figure is projected to increase to an estimated 11,550 by 2054 with a projected percentage change of 56%.
Western Australia (WA): In 2025 there are an estimated 2,900 people living with younger onset dementia. This figure is projected to increase to an estimated 4,250 by 2054 with a projected percentage change of 47%.
About this data
The prevalence data estimates and projections for dementia were modelled by the National Centre for Monitoring Dementia (NCMD) at the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) established in 2021. The team has used a standard demographic modelling approach, in which age-sex dementia prevalence rates calculated by the AIHW were applied to age-sex population estimates and projected population estimates.
The NCMD undertakes routine monitoring of dementia data to inform specific policy needs for Australians living with dementia. There are ongoing efforts to improve the accuracy of dementia prevalence estimates in Australia. As a result, the approach used to estimate the prevalence of dementia will likely be superseded in coming years as findings from these initiatives become available.
If you have any questions regarding this data or would like to learn more about the 2024 dementia prevalence data, please contact our policy team at policyteam@dementia.org.au.
References
1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2022) Dementia in Australia, AIHW, Australian Government,accessed 20 January 2023.
2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2022) Dementia in Australia, AIHW, Australian Government,accessed 20 January 2023.
3. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2022) Dementia in Australia, AIHW, Australian Government,accessed 20 January 2023.
4. Dementia Australia (2023) Dementia Prevalence Data 2024-2054, commissioned research undertaken by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
5. Dementia Australia (2023) Dementia Prevalence Data 2024-2054, commissioned research undertaken by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
6. Based on Dementia Australia’s analysis of the following publications - Department of Health and AgedCare, 2020 Aged Care Workforce Census Report, 2020, p. 6; Australian Institute of Health and Welfare(2022) Dementia in Australia, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 20 January 2023
7. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2022) Dementia in Australia, AIHW, Australian Government,accessed 20 January 2023.
8. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2024) Dementia in Australia, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 23 July, 2024
See also: Livingston G, Huntley J, Sommerlad A, et al. Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission. The Lancet 2020.
