Dementia Support Line
Information
How many people have dementia in the UK?
There are currently estimated to be 982,000 people with dementia in the UK. This number is expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040.
Why is the number of people with dementia increasing?
The forecasted increase in dementia prevalence and cost is due to population growth, an aging population. Age is the strongest known risk factor for dementia; the chances of developing dementia rises significantly with age.
How many people will have dementia in the UK in the future and how much will this cost?
There are projected to be 1.4 million people living with dementia by 2040. The cost of dementia in the UK is forecast to be £42 billion in 2024, increasing to £90 billion by 2040.
These numbers demonstrate the increasing scale and impact of dementia. There is an urgent need for action to be taken to meet current and future care needs.
Who is affected by dementia?
Dementia mainly affects people over the age of 65, though dementia can affect younger people too.
Our new figures, announced in April 2024, are based on the number of people with dementia over 65 only. This is because there is very little research and data on the estimated numbers of people with dementia under 65. There is an urgent need for more research to be carried out in this area.
Why is it important to know how many people have dementia?
Understanding the number of people with dementia is vital to make sure the right support is available to help people with dementia to live well. It is important when planning the provision of support services, local and national health and care strategies, and dementia research
Not everyone with dementia has a diagnosis. This is why it is important to have an estimate of the total number of people with dementia, both with or without a diagnosis. In 2020, the diagnosis rate for dementia fell below two thirds, and has been slow to recover.
How is the 982,000 statistic calculated?
The figure was calculated using estimates of the number of people with dementia published in a report we commissioned from Carnall Farrar in 2024.
Campaign with us
With rising numbers of people living with dementia, our work to help create a world where every person affected by dementia gets the support and care they deserve is vital.