On 2 October 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) published its updated Global Health Estimates, providing new data on mortality and disease burden across countries and regions between 2000 and 2023. The findings highlight the growing impact of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias worldwide, and underline the need for greater attention to dementia in national and international health policies.
According to the estimates, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias were the fifth leading cause of death globally in 2023, compared with 19th in 2000. Over this period, the number of deaths attributed to dementia tripled, reaching approximately 2.1 million deaths worldwide. Women were disproportionately affected, accounting for 66% of dementia-related deaths.
The figures are particularly striking in Europe. In 2023, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias were the third leading cause of death in the WHO European Region, accounting for approximately 496,000 deaths. Dementia was also responsible for an estimated 7.9 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), representing 38% of the burden of neurological conditions and 71% of neurological deaths in the Region. The WHO findings also highlight broader changes in global health, with noncommunicable diseases accounting for 74% of deaths worldwide in 2023, compared with 58% in 2000.
For Alzheimer Europe, these figures reinforce the importance of recognising dementia as a major public health priority. They provide further evidence of the need for comprehensive national dementia strategies, greater investment in prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care, and a strong focus on dementia within the development of a European Neurological Health Strategy.
Read the WHO announcement and explore the Global Health Estimates.
