Nine Facts About Alzheimer’s Disease

1. There are 35.6 million people living with dementia worldwide in 2010
2. The total estimated worldwide costs of dementia are US$604 billion in 2010
3. Total dementia costs account for around 1% of the world’s gross domestic product
4. Direct medical costs account for 16% of total dementia costs
5. Direct social care costs account for 42% of total dementia costs
6. Costs of informal care (unpaid care by families, etc.) account for 42% of total dementia costs
7. About 70% of worldwide dementia costs occur in Western Europe and North America
8. If dementia care were a country, it would be the world’s 18th largest economy
9. If dementia were a company, it would be the world’s largest by annual revenue

Source: World Alzheimer Report 2010