Alzheimer’s Research has discovered 75,393 people died from dementia in 2023, up on 2022, amid warnings the number will continue to increase to as many as 1.4million by 2040
Dementia was the leading cause of death for the UK last year, according to newly released research.
Alzheimer’s Research UK revealed 75,393 people died from dementia in 2023. The figure is up from 2022’s figure (74,261) and a huge jump from 69,178 in 2021. Around 944,000 people in the UK live with dementia which the charity predicts could rise to 1.4 million by 2040.
The charity’s chief executive Hilary Evans-Newton said: “This data reveals the tragic reality of dementia’s devastating impact across the UK. By 2040, over 1.4 million people are expected to be living with dementia in the UK, with heartbreaking consequences for countless families and placing ever-increasing pressure on public services and the economy.
“Dementia already accounts for a quarter of hospital beds for people over 65, and the cost of dementia to the NHS has doubled in the last decade mainly due to often avoidable emergency admissions. The magnitude of damage caused by dementia on people and wider society can’t be ignored by the Government.”
According to Alzheimer’s Research UK, dementia has been the leading cause of death in women since 2011, with the trend continuing in 2023. More than 48,000 women died with the condition last year compared with 27,000 men.
The analysis also found, of the four nations, Northern Ireland had the highest dementia death rate at 11.7%. This was followed by England (11.6%), Wales (10.6%), and Scotland (10.2%).
Dementia already accounts for a quarter of hospital beds for people over 65, and the cost of dementia to the NHS has doubled in the last decade mainly due to often avoidable emergency admissions.
Ms Evans-Newton described the Government’s upcoming 10-Year Health Plan as a “crucial opportunity” to future-proof NHS dementia services. She added: “The government’s 10-Year Health Plan offers a crucial opportunity to harness groundbreaking research developments and address the growing impact of dementia on society.
“New treatments and diagnostics are making their way to the UK, and we are learning more and more about how we can protect our brain health and reduce our risk of developing dementia in the future. The 10-Year Health Plan must be used as an opportunity to capitalise on the recent advances in research, futureproof NHS dementia services and ensure dementia doesn’t remain a death sentence for everyone it touches.”
Care minister Stephen Kinnock added: “Alzheimer’s is a cruel disease which has a terrible impact on so many families, including my own. This data reveals the profound toll dementia has on individuals and their loved ones in the UK.
“With our Plan for Change this government is committed to getting the NHS back on its feet and creating a society where every person with dementia receives high-quality, compassionate care from diagnosis through to the end of life.
“We will put Britain at the forefront of transforming treatment for dementia, backing research into the disease and ensuring that new clinically and cost-effective treatments are rolled out in a safe and timely way.”
