The economic impact of dementia

Dementia is a significant public health issue, and one of the costliest health conditions in the UK. In 2024 the estimated economic impact of dementia in the UK was £42.5 billion, and this is expected to more than double to over £90 billion by 2040.

Globally, the cost of dementia was estimated to be $1.3 trillion USD in 2018 (World Alzheimer Report 2018). This cost will again rise exponentially as the number of people living with dementia is projected to triple by 2050. Low- and middle-income countries are experiencing population aging at faster rate than high-income countries which will likely lead to an increase in the financial burden of dementia for these countries.

Unpaid care and social care costs account for the majority of the economic impact due to dementia in the UK.

This will continue to be the case up to 2040.

Source: Alzheimer’s Society & Carnell Farrar (2024), The Economic Impact of Dementia – Module 1

Note: Economic costs account for a reduction in consumption due to changes in behaviours and spending patterns that often come with the condition. These have been shown on the graph as a negative effect.