Women are more likely than men to develop dementia in their lifetimes. One of the main reasons for the greater prevalence of dementia among women is the longer life expectancy of women.

Page last reviewed: 05/07/2018

Source: Prince, M et al (2014) Dementia UK: Update Second Edition report produced by King’s College London and the London School of Economics for the Alzheimer’s Society

Source: Prince, M et al (2014) Dementia UK: Update Second Edition report produced by King’s College London and the London School of Economics for the Alzheimer’s Society

Source: England and Wales; Mortality Statistics: Deaths Registered in England and Wales (Series DR). Scotland: National Records of Scotland Vital Events Reference Tables. Northern Ireland; Northern Ireland Statistic & Research Agency Registrar General Annual Report 2016

Source: England and Wales; Mortality Statistics: Deaths Registered in England and Wales (Series DR). Scotland: National Records of Scotland Vital Events Reference Tables. Northern Ireland; Northern Ireland Statistic & Research Agency Registrar General Annual Report 2016

Numbers of people with dementia by gender

Source; Prince, M et al (2014) Dementia UK: Update Second Edition report produced by King’s College London and the London School of Economics for the Alzheimer’s Society

The national breakdown of dementia prevalence by gender is shown below. England’s greater population of people leads to the much higher numbers of people with dementia though a similar gender breakdown is seen across the UK.

Source: Prince, M et al (2014) Dementia UK: Update Second Edition report produced by King’s College London and the London School of Economics for the Alzheimer’s Society

Dementia also has a greater impact on women as the majority of carers are women.

Source: Women and Dementia: A Marginalised Majority by Alzheimer’s Research UK

Source: Women and Dementia: A Marginalised Majority by Alzheimer’s Research UK

Source: Women and Dementia: A Marginalised Majority by Alzheimer’s Research UK