Dementia numbers in Canada
The Alzheimer Society is committed to providing accurate and reliable data on dementia in Canada. Statistics listed on this page are the most current available and are updated periodically when new reports and studies are issued.
By the numbers
The urgency
597,000 The number of people in Canada living with dementia in 2020.1
955,900 The number people in Canada projected to be living with dementia in 2030.1
124,000 The number of people in Canada diagnosed with dementia in 2020.1
61.8% of those living with dementia in 2020 were women.1
The costs
Over $10.4 billion The annual cost of dementia to the Canadian economy and healthcare system.5
$359 million The cost to bring a dementia-treating drug from lab to market.6
The stigma
56% of Canadians are concerned about being affected by Alzheimer’s disease.4,7
46% of Canadians admit they would feel ashamed or embarrassed if that they had dementia.4
87% of caregivers wish that more people understood the realities of caring for someone with dementia.4
The progress
More than $64 million invested to date in research through the Alzheimer Society Research Program.
37,000+ Canadians participated in the 2019 IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer's, raising a record $6.2 million that will fund programs and services for people living with dementia across Canada.
Sources
1 Navigating the Path Forward for Dementia in Canada: The Landmark Study Report #1.
2 Highlights from the Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System (CCDSS).
3 Page 22, Table 2a in Prevalence and Monetary Costs of Dementia in Canada.
4 Page 3 in 2017 Awareness survey executive summary.
5 Page 32, Table 4 in Prevalence and Monetary Costs of Dementia in Canada.
6 Page 3 in the Alzheimer Society of Canada 2017-2018 Impact Report.
7 The three greatest concerns: the fear of being a burden to others, losing independence and the inability to recognize family and friends.
September 2022
The first of a series of three reports on dementia prevalence and costs in Canada, this volume covers the projections of people living with dementia in Canada from 2020 to 2050. It also recommends actions to reduce the risk of dementia that could potentially change the future of dementia in Canada.
Download the full report or read the report summary.
Related pages
Learn more about the numbers behind stigma against dementia.
Check out more reports on dementia to understand the national and global impact of dementia.
More useful links and resources
Navigating the Path Forward for Dementia in Canada: The Landmark Study Report #1. Released in September 2022, this Alzheimer Society of Canada report provides updated forecasts of dementia cases and unpaid caregiving hours in Canada to 2050. It also provides ways to take action to reduce this impact.
Prevalence and monetary costs of dementia in Canada. Alzheimer Society of Canada, June 2016. The Alzheimer Society of Canada provides an overview of how many Canadians are affected by dementia, and the monetary impact of the disease in Canada. In collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).
Prevalence and monetary costs of dementia in Canada (2016): a report by the Alzheimer Society of Canada. Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), October 2016. A summary of the Alzheimer Society of Canada report.
2017 Awareness survey executive summary. Alzheimer Society of Canada, 2017. We surveyed over 1,500 Canadians to measure their attitudes and perceptions of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Read the results.
The Alzheimer Society of Canada 2018-2019 Impact Report. Alzheimer Society of Canada, 2019. Read about the impact that the Alzheimer Society of Canada brings to the lives of Canadians who have been affected by dementia.