Dementia incidence refers to the number of new cases of dementia each year.
Page last reviewed: November 2022
Source: Dementia Factsheet 2022: WHO
Source: Matthews, F.E et al (2016). A two decade dementia incidence comparison from the Cognitive Function and Ageing Studies I and II. Cognitive Function and Ageing Studies (CFAS) Collaboration.
The incidence of dementia in the UK has fallen, possibly due to the improvement in male cardiovascular health over the last several decades, which is a risk factor for dementia.
This graph shows the incidence rate of dementia in the UK for men and women of different age groups.
Source: Matthews, F.E et al (2016). A two decade dementia incidence comparison from the Cognitive Function and Ageing Studies I and II. Cognitive Function and Ageing Studies (CFAS) Collaboration.
As age is the greatest risk factor for dementia and life expectancy is rising, the likelihood of people born in 2015 of reaching older ages and developing dementia is increasing.
Source: Lifetime risk of being diagnosed with female breast cancer: The Lifetime Risk of Stroke: Estimates From the Framingham Study; Seshadri, S. et al. Stroke. 2006;37:345-350
Source: Maignen, F (Aug 2016): Estimation of future cases of dementia from those born in 2015: updated analysis using CFAS II study; Consultation report for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
The graph below shows the incidence of dementia by age group in the major world regions. High variations across these regions are due to the different population sizes and population demographics such as age and health. For example a region with a larger population or an older population is more likely to have higher dementia incidence.
Source: Prince, M et al (2015). World Alzheimer’s Report 2015, The Global Impact of Dementia: An analysis of prevalence, incidence, cost and trends. Alzheimer’s Disease International
Source: Dementia Factsheet 2022: WHO
Source: Corrada, M et al (2010). Dementia Incidence Continues to Increase with Age in the Oldest Old The 90+ Study. Ann Neurol. 2010 Jan; 67(1): 114–121.