Share of people with Alzheimer's disease in the U.S. by age group 2024

In the United States, around 39 percent of people with Alzheimer’s are 75 to 84 years old. Additionally, around 26 percent of those with Alzheimer’s are aged 65 to 74 years. Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia which impacts memory, behavior, and thinking and can lead to symptoms becoming so severe that those with the disease require support with basic daily tasks. Alzheimer’s remains a relevant problem around the world.

Alzheimer’s disease deaths

Alzheimer’s is currently the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, causing more deaths than diabetes and kidney disease. While advances in medicine and increased access to treatment and care have caused decreases in many major causes of death, deaths from Alzheimer’s have risen in recent years. For example, from 2000 to 2021, deaths from stroke in the U.S. dropped by 2.8 percent, while deaths from Alzheimer’s increased 141 percent. 

Alzheimer’s disease worldwide

Alzheimer’s is not only a problem in the United States but impacts every country around the globe. In 2018, there were an estimated 50 million people living with dementia worldwide. This figure is predicted to increase to some 152 million by the year 2050. Alzheimer’s does not only cause a significant amount of death but also has a significant economic impact. In 2018, cost estimates for Alzheimer’s care worldwide totaled around one trillion U.S. dollars, with this figure predicted to double by the year 2030.