Alzheimer Europe today released a new report titled “The Prevalence of Dementia in Europe 2025”, projecting a substantial rise in the number of people living with dementia across the continent over the next quarter-century. The report updates prevalence figures using recent community-based studies and United Nations population projections for 2025 and 2050.
The analysis estimates that in 2025 there will be approximately 9.07 million people with dementia in the EU27 countries and about 12.12 million when including non-EU European countries. By 2050, these numbers are projected to rise sharply to 14.34 million in the EU27 and nearly 19.91 million across Europe as a whole, representing increases of 58 % and 64 % respectively compared with 2025 figures.
The report’s methodology built on Alzheimer Europe’s earlier “Dementia in Europe Yearbook 2019”, applying updated age-specific prevalence rates to the UN World Population Prospects 2024 demographic data to assess future disease burden. While overall dementia prevalence trends remain broadly consistent with earlier estimates, certain age and sex patterns such as higher rates among older men in specific age bands were noted in the new analysis.
Alzheimer Europe stressed the implications of the projected increase for health and social care systems. The organisation urged EU and national decision-makers to act promptly to strengthen health infrastructure, expand care capacity, and prioritise research into diagnostics, treatments, and preventative strategies for dementia. Without such action, the challenges posed by a larger population living with cognitive impairment are expected to intensify.
The report also arrives amid discussions on the future EU budget, where proposed shifts in funding priorities could reduce commitments to health, social affairs, and research in favour of defence and competitiveness. Alzheimer Europe highlighted the need for sustained investment in dementia-related services and research, warning that failure to act could worsen societal and economic strain.
Jean Georges, Executive Director of Alzheimer Europe, emphasised the urgency of coordinated policy responses. He called for a European Action Plan on Dementia with dedicated funding, and for improved care services that support not only people living with dementia but also their families and informal carers.
The full Prevalence of Dementia in Europe 2025 report is available on Alzheimer Europe’s website, and interactive visualisations of dementia prevalence across countries through 2050 have been published to aid public and policy engagement.
