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
Over 500,000 The number of Canadians living with dementia today.1
912,000 The number of Canadians living with dementia in 2030.1
76,000 The number of Canadians diagnosed with dementia every year.2
65% of those diagnosed with dementia over the age of 65 are women.3
1 in 5 Canadians have experience caring for someone living with dementia.4
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 Page 23, Table 2c in Prevalence and Monetary Costs of Dementia in Canada.
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.
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
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.