A landmark study predicts that by 2050 around 24.7 million people will be diagnosed with dementia each year, and women will bear a larger share of those cases.

In 2023, about 11.4 million people worldwide developed dementia. Researchers say the number could double by 2050, putting huge pressure on health systems.

The analysis, carried out by the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing at the University of NSW, examined 38,418 participants from 18 countries, making it one of the most comprehensive incidence studies to date.

The data showed the highest dementia rates among women and among residents of low‑ and middle‑income nations.

Prof. Henry Brodaty, co‑director of CHeBA, explained that historically women had less access to education and fewer career opportunities, which may lower their cognitive resilience later in life.

He also noted that women experience higher rates of depression, anxiety and obesity, and that hormonal changes such as menopause could play a role, although the exact impact of estrogen loss remains unclear.

Lead author Dr Ashleigh Vella stressed that understanding these gender differences is essential for designing prevention, diagnosis and care strategies that target the groups at greatest future risk.