Burden of Dementia in Europe, 1990-2023: a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023
In brief
Dementia cases in EU double since 1990, now 7.8 million
In 2023 the EU-27 had about 7.8 million people living with dementia, a roughly 90% increase from 1990 despite stable age-adjusted rates. Women carry almost twice the prevalence of men, and dementia has risen to the third leading cause of death, accounting for 5.5 million DALYs. About four-tenths of the burden is linked to modifiable risks such as air pollution, high blood sugar and obesity, highlighting prevention opportunities.
- Journal
- The Lancet regional health. Europe (Q1)
- Published
- 31 July 2026
- Study design
- Cross-sectional study
- Evidence level
- Level 3, Low (CEBM 3b)
- Authors
- Daniele Urso, Emma Nichols, Stefano Giannoni-Luza, Carol Brayne, Nicolas Ray, Giancarlo Logroscino
- PMID
- 42571406
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.lanepe.2026.101796
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Epidemiology (paper of the day, 13 August 2026): GBD analysis of dementia burden in Europe
- Picked for Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health (paper of the day, 10 August 2026).
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dementia is a leading cause of disability and mortality in Europe, yet no recent harmonised assessment has described its impact across the European Union (EU-27) and the WHO European Region. METHODS: We used data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023 (GBD 2023) to estimate prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for dementia from 1990 to 2023. Estimates were produced for the EU-27 and the WHO European Region, by age and sex. Non-fatal outcomes were modelled using DisMod-MR 2.1, and dementia-attributable mortality was estimated using an excess-mortality framework. We also quantified DALYs attributable to six modifiable risk factors. FINDINGS: In 2023, 7.76 million people (95% UI 6.69-8.72) were living with dementia in the EU-27 and 12.28 million (10.44-13.90) in the WHO European Region, representing ∼90% increases since 1990 despite modest declines in age-standardised prevalence. Prevalence was nearly twice as high in women as in men. Dementia rose from the eighth to the third leading cause of death in the EU-27. Dementia accounted for 5.49 million DALYs (2.44-11.41) in the EU-27. An estimated 41% (24.4-57.4) of dementia DALYs in the EU-27 were attributable to modifiable risk factors, particularly ambient particulate matter pollution, high fasting plasma glucose, and high body-mass index, which are disproportionately concentrated in socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. INTERPRETATION: Despite modest declines in age-standardised rates, the absolute burden of dementia in Europe continues to rise, driven by population ageing. The substantial contribution of modifiable risk factors highlights major opportunities for prevention. Robust, country-specific estimates are essential to guide integrated strategies combining prevention and care planning. FUNDING: Regione Puglia and CNR for Tecnopolo per la Medicina di Precisione; Regione Puglia for the national "Fund for Alzheimer's and Dementia 2021-2023" (Piano Regionale Demenze 2021/2023).
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.