Dementia set to become Australia’s leading cause of death—protect yourself today

Australia is on the brink of a dementia crisis, with the condition closing in on becoming our leading cause of death.

Families across the nation are already feeling the weight of its impact, often without realising the scale of the challenge.

The statistics are stark—and they are growing every year.

Just 200 to 250 deaths now separate dementia from coronary heart disease as Australia’s top killer, and experts warn dementia will overtake heart disease in the coming years.

In 2025, an estimated 433,300 Australians were living with dementia, while 1.7 million were involved in caring for someone with the condition, meaning roughly one in every 15 Australians was directly affected either as a patient or a carer.

Dementia has already become the leading cause of death among Australian women, accounting for 12 per cent of all female deaths in 2022, while heart disease deaths have dropped to their lowest levels since the 1960s.

Over the past 50 years, the death rate from dementia increased by a staggering 842 per cent, painting a sobering picture of our nation’s shifting health landscape.

Projections for the coming decades are equally confronting, with the number of Australians living with dementia expected to reach 812,500 by 2054, and some estimates suggesting more than one million by 2065.

Population growth and ageing largely drive this trend, but dementia also affects younger people, with an estimated 29,000 Australians living with younger onset dementia, including those in their 30s, 40s, and 50s—a figure projected to rise to 41,000 by 2054.

The financial burden is immense, with nearly $3.7 billion of total health and aged care expenditure in 2020-2021 spent directly on dementia, excluding the hidden costs borne by families providing unpaid care.

Two in three people with dementia live in the community, placing much of the caregiving responsibility on families, while 54 per cent of those in permanent residential aged care already have dementia, meaning community care often continues until late in the disease.

Tanya Buchanan explained the social impact, saying, 'People affected by dementia often tell us that friends and family drift away after a diagnosis, because they are unsure of how to interact.'

While ageing is the primary risk factor, many contributors to dementia are modifiable.

A 2024 study by 27 leading experts, published in #The Lancet, identified 14 risk factors spanning early, mid, and later life, including limited education, hearing loss, high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, depression, physical inactivity, diabetes, excessive alcohol, traumatic brain injury, air pollution, social isolation, high cholesterol, and untreated vision loss.

Regular exercise, managing blood pressure and diabetes, staying socially connected, protecting hearing and vision, and avoiding smoking all play crucial roles in brain health.

Changes in death certification have also contributed to the apparent rise in dementia deaths, reflecting improved diagnosis and recognition rather than an entirely new surge.

Support is available for families navigating dementia, with the National Dementia Helpline (1800 100 500) operating 24/7 and offering expert advice and interpreter services.

Dementia Action Week ran from 15 to 21 September 2025, focusing on reconnecting with people affected by dementia to counter social isolation, which research shows can help maintain cognitive function and quality of life.

Planning for dementia involves early conversations about care preferences, financial readiness, and building strong support networks.

For those already providing care, it is important to remember that they are part of a 1.7 million-strong community across Australia, with services designed to help navigate this journey.

The path forward is about action—adopting lifestyle changes, supporting research, or reconnecting with someone affected by dementia.

Understanding the trends, strengthening support networks, and focusing on prevention can reduce future impact and improve care for those already affected.

Understanding the key risk factors for dementia is essential for taking proactive steps to protect brain health.

There are some newly identified factors that could surprise you and may influence your own prevention strategies.

Exploring these discoveries can provide practical tips and insights to better safeguard cognitive function over time.

Read more: Protect Your Brain: Uncover the 2 New Shocking Dementia Risk Factors You Need to Know!

Have you had conversations with your family about brain health and dementia prevention, or are you currently supporting someone living with dementia?