Dementia Remains UK’s Leading Cause of Death as Crisis Deepens

Dementia has retained its position as the UK’s biggest killer for another year, claiming 76,894 lives in 2024 according to new analysis from Alzheimer’s Research UK. The figure represents more than one in ten (11.8%) of all deaths across the country, surpassing fatalities from heart disease and stroke.

The findings, compiled using the latest data from the Office for National Statistics, the National Records of Scotland and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, reveal a continuing upward trend. Deaths from dementia have risen from 74,261 in 2022 and 75,393 in 2023, even as mortality rates from other major conditions have declined.

The increasing dementia death toll is partly attributed to the UK’s ageing population, with age remaining the single biggest risk factor for the condition. However, a critical factor distinguishes dementia from other major health challenges: unlike heart disease or stroke, no treatments are currently available on the NHS that can slow, stop or prevent dementia’s progression.

Two new treatments for early Alzheimer’s disease received UK licensing last year but were not approved for NHS use, leaving a significant gap in the therapeutic landscape for care providers and families managing the condition.

The analysis highlights stark gender differences in dementia mortality. Women continue to be disproportionately affected, with 48,915 female deaths compared to 27,979 male deaths in 2024. Dementia has been the leading cause of death for UK women since 2011, whilst heart disease remains the primary killer for men, claiming over 41,000 male lives last year.

Regional variations also emerged in the data. England recorded the highest dementia death rate at 12%, followed by Northern Ireland (11.1%), Wales (11%) and Scotland (10.6%). These figures represent a shift from 2023’s pattern, though experts emphasise that consistent nationwide action remains essential regardless of regional rankings.

Research from Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Dementia Attitudes Monitor reveals a concerning knowledge gap: whilst dementia is the most feared health condition among the public, only six in ten people understand that it is fatal.

Dementia is not an inevitable consequence of ageing but rather results from diseases affecting brain areas that control vital bodily functions. As the condition progresses, it causes the body’s systems to fail, ultimately leading to death through various mechanisms.

Care professionals should be aware of the primary causes of death in people with dementia:

• Pneumonia develops when swallowing difficulties allow food or drink to enter the windpipe, irritating the lungs and triggering infections.
• Starvation and dehydration occur as residents lose their appetite, forget to eat, or lose the ability to swallow, increasing vulnerability to infections through poor nutrition.
• Severe urinary tract infections can escalate to sepsis when incontinence and hygiene challenges go unmanaged.
• Untreated underlying conditions such as diabetes or hypertension may worsen when residents forget check-ups and medication.
• Weakened immune systems become less effective with age, with dementia-causing diseases exacerbating this decline.
• Falls and injuries pose heightened risks, with advanced age slowing recovery and increasing mortality following necessary surgical interventions.

Dementia is estimated to cost the UK economy £42 billion annually through its impact on the NHS, social care services and unpaid care provision. Families bear the heaviest burden, covering 63% of total costs.

With the UK population continuing to age, the number of people living with dementia is projected to exceed 1.4 million by 2040. Without improvements in prevention, diagnosis and treatment, the death toll is expected to climb steadily.

Alzheimer’s Research UK is urging the Government to take immediate action on multiple fronts. The organisation emphasises the need for increased investment in scientific research into new treatments, improved diagnostic pathways and broader prevention measures.

Hilary Evans-Newton, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, stated that whilst more potential treatments and simpler early diagnostic tests now exist than ever before, these breakthroughs require government support to reach patients. She called for proper backing of research and clinical trials, alongside a comprehensive plan to prepare the NHS for delivering new tests and treatments.

Early and accurate diagnosis remains crucial for connecting people with appropriate support and will be essential for accessing emerging treatments. However, Alzheimer’s Research UK’s recent Dementia Unseen campaign revealed that one in three people with dementia currently miss out on a diagnosis.

The organisation is calling for clear national diagnostic standards and sustained investment in NHS dementia services to address this gap—a development that would have significant implications for care homes in planning resident support and accessing future therapeutic interventions.