Dementia now Australia's leading cause of death, claiming one in ten
Dementia caused 19,000 deaths and more than one in ten of all deaths in 2025 for the first time.
Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, now causes more Australian deaths than cancer and heart disease. In 2025, dementia accounted for more than 19,000 deaths, or 10.1 per cent of all deaths, the highest rate on record.
The surge is dramatic. In 2006, dementia was the fourth leading cause of death and accounted for just under five per cent of deaths.
Nearly 500,000 Australians live with dementia today. Without significant intervention, that number is expected to reach more than one million by 2065.
Women are disproportionately affected. Female dementia deaths have been the leading cause for women since 2016, and now represent more than 60 per cent of all dementia deaths.
Dementia Australia's chief executive said the data reinforces the urgent need for funding and support for people living with the condition and their families.
- 19,000
- Deaths in 2025
- 10.1 per cent
- Share of all deaths
- Nearly 500,000
- People with dementia today
- 60 per cent of total
- Female dementia deaths
Why it mattersDementia is now Australia's deadliest disease, yet government funding and support have not kept pace with the crisis.
AustraliaNearly every Australian family is increasingly likely to be touched by dementia, but services and prevention remain underfunded despite it becoming the nation's leading killer.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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