A new Alzheimer Europe report projects a 64% increase in dementia prevalence across Europe by 2050, highlighting urgent needs in health care, policy action, and research investment
A recent Alzheimer Europe report called The Prevalence of Dementia in Europe 2025 forecasts that the number of people living with dementia in Europe will surge by 64% by 2050, driven by demographic shifts and rising age-specific prevalence. The study updates dementia prevalence figures for EU27 and non-EU countries using the latest UN World Population Prospects data, underscoring the urgent need for strengthened health care systems, expanded social support, and increased research across European nations.
Dementia prevalence projections for 2025 and 2050
For 2025, the number of people living with dementia is 9,065,706 for EU27 countries and 12,122,979 for EU and non-EU countries.
By 2050, estimates show 14,335,788 people with dementia in EU27 countries and 19,905,856 in EU and non-EU countries combined. This represents an increase of 58% for the EU27 and 64% for EU and non-EU countries from 2025.
The researchers examined changes in the number of people with dementia between 2019 and 2025. The overall number of people estimated to be living with dementia in the EU27 for the years 2025 and 2050 is broadly consistent across the two reports. However, in men, consistently higher rates were observed across the 70+ age bands, particularly in the 70-74 band. Figures for women were generally more mixed.
Policy and research recommendations
Health and social care systems should expand capacity and build infrastructure to deliver high-quality dementia care at all stages.
Prioritise research to advance diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of dementia demographics.
Commenting on the publication of the report, Alzheimer Europe’s Executive Director, Jean Georges, stated: “The scale of the challenge posed by dementia across Europe is substantial, and it is our sincere hope that our updated figures provide the impetus for decision-makers, both at the European and national levels, to prioritise dementia and ensure it is addressed across the domains of health, research, disability policy, and support for informal carers.
In particular, policy-makers must work to improve care services, make investments in health infrastructure for diagnosis and treatment, as well as help for family, carers, and supporters of people with dementia. As part of this, they must consider the changing demographics of the population and the prevalence of conditions such as dementia.
Our Helsinki Manifesto sets out a blueprint of actions, at the EU and national level, to improve the lives of people with dementia, their carers, and families.
We reiterate the key calls from our Helsinki Manifesto: There is a clear need for a coordinated European Action Plan on Dementia and a dedicated research mission, each with ringfenced funding to ensure their proper implementation.”
