Canberra is sounding the alarm as new data reveals a troubling surge in dementia cases among Australians under 65. Projections indicate a staggering 40% increase by 2054, putting immense pressure on the nation’s healthcare system.
Currently, around 446,500 Australians are living with dementia, up from 433,300 in 2025. This rapid escalation underscores the growing crisis. Among them, nearly 29,000 individuals aged 18 to 65 are battling younger-onset dementia, a figure expected to climb to 41,000 within three decades.
Even more concerning, approximately 1,500 children are grappling with childhood-onset dementia, highlighting the disease’s impact across all age groups. In a grim milestone, dementia claimed 9.4% of all deaths in 2024, overtaking other causes to become Australia’s leading killer.
Experts from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare predict the total number of dementia patients will more than double to over one million by 2065. Dementia Australia CEO Tanya Buchanan has called for urgent action, advocating a national brain health initiative to bolster prevention, treatment, and support services.
“Australia leads globally in dementia care and research, but gaps remain in our system,” Buchanan emphasized. The organization urges the government to launch widespread awareness campaigns, expand support networks nationwide, and enhance training for caregivers.
Dementia isn’t a single disease but a syndrome caused by various brain disorders that progressively damage nerve cells, impairing memory, thinking, and behavior. While consciousness often persists, personality, emotions, and motivation can undergo profound changes.
As cases multiply, particularly among the young, Australia faces a public health emergency demanding immediate, coordinated responses to safeguard future generations.