Oct. 14, 2026Updated Oct. 15, 2026, 11:22 a.m. ET
The global incidence of dementia is projected to more than double by 2050, particularly affecting women and individuals in lower-income nations, according to recent research.
In 2023, approximately 11.4 million individuals were diagnosed with dementia. By 2050, that figure is expected to surge to 24.7 million new cases annually, as noted in a study released on October 12 in the journal JAMA Neurology.
This data underscores the urgent need for enhanced dementia prevention, diagnosis, and care as the population ages. Experts indicate that countries with limited healthcare resources may encounter significant challenges in addressing this issue.
Dr. Liron Sinvani, who leads research and innovation at the Northwell Institute for Healthy Aging in New York, emphasized, “This is not a future problem. It’s an accelerating epidemic crisis that demands immediate attention.”
Expected Growth in Dementia Cases by 2050
The study, conducted by researchers from the University of New South Wales Sydney’s Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, examined data from 38,418 participants across 22 studies in 18 regions worldwide.
Researchers monitored these individuals over time, with 3,001 developing dementia. This data was used to estimate the frequency of new cases within various population groups.
The anticipated increase in dementia cases is largely attributed to an aging global population. The risk of developing dementia escalates with age, according to Sinvani.
Currently, more than 57 million people across the globe are living with dementia. Earlier studies predict that this number could rise to approximately 150 million by 2050.
Higher Risks for Women
The research indicated that women have a higher incidence of new dementia cases compared to men, with rates of 10.6 cases per 1,000 people for women and 8.6 cases for men, even after controlling for age.
However, the reasons for this disparity were not specifically identified. Researchers suggested that factors such as a higher incidence of Alzheimer’s disease among women, hormonal changes due to menopause, and cardiovascular health issues could play roles.
Countries at Greatest Risk
The study highlighted that new dementia cases are more prevalent in low- and middle-income countries compared to wealthier nations. Specifically, the rate of new cases was 13.6 per 1,000 people in these countries, while in high-income countries, it was 8.3 per 1,000 people.
Although the study did not pinpoint the reasons behind this gap, researchers cautioned that nations lacking adequate resources for prevention, diagnosis, and care may face significant challenges in meeting increasing demands.
Reducing Dementia Risk
Efforts aimed at prevention could potentially ease the future impact of dementia, according to Sinvani.
She noted that 14 established, modifiable risk factors, such as lack of physical activity, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and social isolation, account for nearly half of total dementia cases.
Henry Brodaty, a co-author of the study and co-director of the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, stressed the importance of addressing dementia risk proactively. “Population aging means we cannot simply wait for people to develop dementia and then respond,” he added.
