--- title: "Global dementia cases to reach 24.7 million annually by 2050" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/health/global-dementia-cases-to-reach-247-million-annually-by-2050" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/global-dementia-cases-to-reach-247-million-annually-by-2050" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/health/global-dementia-cases-to-reach-247-million-annually-by-2050.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/global-dementia-cases-to-reach-247-million-annually-by-2050" category: "Health" published: "2026-10-13T22:05:28.999Z" source_reported: "2026-10-13T21:25:23.000Z" updated: "2026-10-13T22:05:28.999Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 57 hype_score: 41 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-10-13T21:52:46.563Z" --- # Global dementia cases to reach 24.7 million annually by 2050 *New study highlights higher incidence among women and in lower-income countries.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. The central claim is attributed to a named body, and the study is published in a named journal. - Craft 57 of 100, higher is better. The reader is told why this matters, and specific figures and dates are provided. - Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. The headline promises more than the body delivers, with some outlets using sensational language. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - An estimated 11.4 million people developed dementia globally in 2023. - By 2050, annual dementia diagnoses are projected to reach 24.7 million. - Dementia incidence is higher among women than men. - Incidence rates are substantially higher in low- and middle-income countries compared to high-income nations. An international study analysing data from 38,418 people across 22 population-based studies in 18 countries has projected a significant increase in annual dementia diagnoses. In 2023, an estimated 11.4 million people developed dementia worldwide. This figure is expected to more than double by 2050, reaching approximately 24.7 million new cases each year. The research, published in JAMA Neurology, also identified disparities in dementia incidence, noting higher rates among women and in low- and middle-income countries. ## Disagreement on specific figures While most reports agree on the projection of 24.7 million new cases annually by 2050, one digest stated the number would increase by more than half by 2050, without providing a specific figure. Another digest stated the number would reach almost 25 million new cases each year by 2050. ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated digests mention the specific factors contributing to higher dementia rates among women, such as hormonal changes, unequal education, or job opportunities, which were detailed in the left-rated ABC Australia report. The right-rated digests also do not mention the study's analysis of data from 38,418 people across 22 population-based studies spanning 18 countries and territories. ## Who covered it Shares of the 12 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 17% (2) - Centre: 25% (3) - Right: 58% (7) 10 of 22 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-10-13T21:52:46.563Z. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 7 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-10-13T23:45:07.097Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The left-rated reports highlighted the projected increase in dementia cases and the disproportionate impact on women. ABC Australia's full report noted that hormone changes could be a factor in higher dementia rates among women, alongside unequal education and job opportunities. It also quoted lead author Dr Ashleigh Vella stating that understanding these differences is critical for developing effective strategies. Xinhua's digest also focused on the global projection of 24.7 million new cases by 2050. ### Centre - Centre-rated reports focused on the overall increase in dementia cases and the higher incidence among women and in low- and middle-income countries. Medical Xpress's full report detailed the study's methodology, including the number of participants and countries involved, and quoted Dr Ashleigh Vella on the importance of understanding incidence differences. BBC News's digest specifically mentioned that women and people from lower- and middle-income countries are most likely to be affected. Cedarnews.net's digest used the term 'scary' to describe the modelling of surging cases by 2050. ### Right - Right-rated reports focused on the projected doubling of dementia cases by 2050 and the higher incidence among women. The Epoch Times and Anadolu Ajansı digests both reported the projection of more than double the cases by 2050, with Anadolu Ajansı specifically mentioning a higher incidence among women. Globo's digest also highlighted the projected rise to 24.7 million per year by 2050. The New York Post's digest described the situation as an 'accelerating epidemic crisis' and mentioned two groups at risk. Nine.com.au's digest stated that cases of Australia's biggest killer are about to surge, with higher rates among women and in low-income countries. The Sun's digest also reported the projection of almost 25 million new cases each year by 2050 and offered ways to slash risk. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - veryLow: 1 - mixed: 4 - high: 4 - unknown: 10 - veryHigh: 3 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Senior Housing News](https://seniorhousingnews.com/2026/10/13/new-dementia-cases-could-more-than-double-globally-by-2050) — New Dementia Cases Could More Than Double Globally By 2050 - [bgnes.com](https://bgnes.com/health/new-dementia-cases-worldwide-could-double-by-2050) — New dementia cases worldwide could double by 2050 - [The Epoch Times](https://theepochtimes.com/us/new-dementia-cases-projected-to-more-than-double-globally-by-2050-post-6103126) — New Dementia Cases Projected to More Than Double Globally by 2050 - [Anadolu Ajansı](https://aa.com.tr/en/health/annual-dementia-cases-worldwide-projected-to-more-than-double-by-2050-study/4087416) — Annual dementia cases worldwide projected to more than double by 2050: Study - [gazetaweb.com](https://gazetaweb.com/noticias/ciencia-e-saude/novos-casos-de-demencia-podem-dobrar-ate-2050-chegando-a-247-milhoes-942102) — New Cases of Dementia Can Double by 2050, Reaching 24.7 Million - [ipsnoticias.net](https://ipsnoticias.net/2026/10/demencia-un-desafio-mundial-en-rapido-aumento) — Dementia: a Rapidly Growing Global Challenge - [Metrópoles](https://metropoles.com/saude/novos-casos-de-demencia-podem-dobrar-ate-2050-chegando-a-247-milhoes) — New Cases of Dementia Can Double by 2050, Reaching 24.7 Million - [Xinhua](https://english.news.cn/20261013/47122787510f47b8a1a938b4593efcf9/c.html) — Global study projects annual new dementia cases to reach 24.7 mln by 2050 - [Globo](https://oglobo.globo.com/saude/noticia/2026/10/13/demencia-estudo-global-revela-114-milhoes-de-novos-casos-em-2023-numero-que-devera-mais-que-dobrar-ate-2050.ghtml) — Dementia: Global Study Reveals 11.4 Million New Cases in 2023 — Number that Should More than Double by 2050 - [Irish Independent](https://independent.ie/world-news/global-dementia-study-reveals-cases-projected-to-more-than-double-by-2050/a/162983342.html) — Global dementia study reveals cases projected to more than double by 2050 - [P.M. News Nigeria](https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2026/10/13/dementia-ticking-time-bomb-global-study-warns-diagnoses-will-double) — Dementia Ticking Time Bomb: Global study warns diagnoses will double - [unsw.edu.au](https://unsw.edu.au/newsroom/news/2026/10/new-dementia-cases-to-hit-24-7-million-annually-by-2050--study) — New yearly dementia cases to double by 2050: study - [rador.ro](https://rador.ro/2026/10/13/studiu-numarul-cazurilor-noi-de-dementa-se-va-dubla-pana-in-2050) — Study: Number of New Cases of Dementia Will Double by 2050 - [BBC News](https://bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0pgcv8s) — BBC World Service - Global News Podcast, Annual dementia cases could double by 2050 - [New York Post](https://nypost.com/2026/10/12/health/dementia-cases-set-to-double-by-2050-called-an-accelerating-epidemic-crisis) — Dementia cases are set to double by 2050 — as doctor calls it an ‘accelerating epidemic crisis’ - [nine.com.au](https://nine.com.au/australia-news/dementia-global-incidences-could-double-by-2050-20261013-p614rm.html) — Cases of Australia’s biggest killer are about to surge - [nplus1.ru](https://nplus1.ru/news/2026/10/12/more-incident-dementia) — The World Was Predicted to Increase the Frequency of Dementia by More than Half by 2050. - [cedarnews.net](https://cedarnews.net/newstasks/1055364/scary-dementia-modelling-shows-cases-will-surge) — 'Scary' dementia modelling shows how cases will surge by 2050 - [ABC Australia](https://abc.net.au/news/2026-10-13/dementia-prevalance-for-women-to-increase-by-2050/107256064) — Hormone changes could cause higher dementia rates among women - [Medical Xpress](https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-10-global-dementia-reveals-million-cases.html) — Global dementia study reveals 11.4 million new cases in 2023—projected to more than double by 2050 - [Flying Eze](https://flyingeze.com/dementia-cases-double-2050-slash-risk) — Global dementia cases set to hit 25 million every year by 2050 –... - [The Sun](https://thesun.co.uk/health/40658935/dementia-cases-double-2050-slash-risk) — Dementia cases set to hit 25 million every year by 2050 - 14 ways to slash risk ## Questions **How many new dementia cases were there in 2023?** An estimated 11.4 million people developed dementia globally in 2023. This figure represents the number of new diagnoses made within that year. **What is the projected number of new dementia cases by 2050?** By 2050, it is projected that 24.7 million new cases of dementia will be diagnosed each year. This represents more than double the number of cases reported in 2023. **Are dementia rates higher for women?** Yes, the study found that dementia incidence is higher among women than men. The reasons for this difference are still being investigated but may include hormonal changes and socio-economic factors. **Where are dementia rates highest?** Dementia incidence is substantially higher in low- and middle-income countries compared to high-income countries. This disparity is a significant concern given the projected growth in cases in these regions. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/health/global-dementia-cases-to-reach-247-million-annually-by-2050. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Global dementia cases to reach 24.7 million annually by 2050", https://mediabias.news/health/global-dementia-cases-to-reach-247-million-annually-by-2050