The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released today in the Causes of Death, Australia, 2024 report has named dementia as the leading cause of death in Australia, overtaking ischaemic heart diseases.
In 2024, dementia accounted for 9.4 per cent of all deaths, whilst the number of deaths caused by dementia has increased by 39 per cent over the last decade.
Dementia has been the leading cause of death for Australian women since 2016, with the 2024 data showing that 62.4 per cent of people who died from dementia were women.
Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said this data reinforces the critical need to invest in public health approaches to brain health and dementia risk reduction, while providing more targeted support for people impacted by dementia.
"There are currently an estimated 433,300 Australians living with dementia and without significant intervention, this number is expected to increase to more than one million by 2065," Professor Buchanan said.
"We need to act on dementia now. At a community level, we need to increase awareness of dementia and brain health, reducing the stigma experienced by so many impacted by dementia.
"Across health, aged, disability and community care sectors, we need to ensure quality dementia care, with palliative care tailored to the needs of people living with dementia, their families and carers at the end of their life.
"Although there are things we cannot change, like getting older or genetics, we now know that up to 45 per cent of dementia cases globally could be prevented or delayed by addressing modifiable risk factors.
"Dementia Australia is continuing to advocate to Government for investment in a national brain health and risk reduction campaign. We also support all Australians impacted by dementia."
The data released by the ABS, follows the latest update of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's (AIHW) Dementia in Australia report published in September this year that also reported dementia as the leading cause of death for Australians.
For more details on the ABS report, visit their website here.
For dementia information and support contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 or visit dementia.org.au.
