In June, a record 487,432 people in England were diagnosed with dementia, according to the latest NHS statistics. This milestone highlights the growing challenge of dementia as the population ages and underscores the need for effective healthcare strategies.
Local Authorities with the Highest Rates:
- Birmingham: 7,139
- Leeds: 6,724
- Cornwall: 5,859
- North Yorkshire: 5,845
- Somerset: 5,465
Birmingham leads with the highest number of dementia diagnoses, reflecting both its large population and the growing prevalence of dementia within urban areas.
England’s dementia diagnosis rate stands at 65.0%, one of the highest in the world. This is a significant achievement compared to other high-income countries, where diagnosis rates typically range between 20-50%. However, it still falls short of the NHS’s goal of achieving a 66.7% diagnosis rate.
Local Authorities with the Lowest Rates:
- Isles of Scilly: 23
- City of London: 31
- Rutland: 407
- Redditch: 487
- Watford: 519
These areas, characterised by smaller populations, report the lowest number of diagnoses, highlighting regional disparities in dementia prevalence and diagnosis.
Globally, over 55 million people are affected by dementia, and this number is expected to nearly double every 20 years, reaching 78 million by 2030 and 139 million by 2050. These figures emphasise the urgent need for global awareness and action to address the rising impact of dementia on individuals and healthcare systems worldwide.
Use the interactive map below to discover the key dementia statistics in your constituency or follow this link to be taken to a separate page.