There’s been a 2% increase in the number of deaths caused by Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias compared with 2023 according to new statistics from National Records of Scotland (NRS).
In 2024, 6,612 deaths were registered with these conditions as the underlying cause, 121 more than the previous year. It’s the highest number since 2000.
The rate of deaths, 122 for every 100,000 people, has almost doubled in the last two decades.
NRS Head of vital events statistics, Phillipa Haxton, said:
“The rate of deaths from these causes has risen alongside the growing number of people in the oldest age groups.
“The average age of death from Alzheimer’s Disease or another type of dementia is 87. Of those who died from these conditions, 85% were over 80.
“This is one of the leading causes of death for people in Scotland and accounts for around one in ten of all deaths.”
In total 10,618 death registrations mentioned Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementias. The rate for this broader group, which includes cases where dementia is listed as a contributory factor or the underlying cause, has fallen. This is the lowest level since 2014.
Almost two thirds of deaths caused by Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias were female. A similar proportion occurred in care homes.
There was regional variation within Scotland; Falkirk and Clackmannanshire had the highest mortality rates due to dementia and Alzheimer's disease in the period 2020-2024. Scottish Borders had the lowest rates.
Background
National Records of Scotland (NRS) is responsible for producing statistics on Scotland’s population.
The full publication ‘Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia deaths in Scotland, 2024’, including tables with information broken down by age-group, sex, Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) quintile, NHS Board and Local Authority, can be viewed online.
