The number of people with dementia will more than double over the next three decades, research predicts.
About 850,000 people are living with the degenerative brain disease in the UK today, a figure expected to rise to nearly two million by 2050.
The analysis by Alzheimer Europe is the biggest of its kind, pooling data from 16 studies.
Jean Georges, executive director of Alzheimer Europe, said: “Our report demonstrates the number of people living with the condition is set to increase substantially in the years ahead, which will only place greater pressure on care and support services unless better ways of treating and preventing dementia are identified.
“If people with dementia, their families and carers are to receive the high quality and person-centred care they need, governments must ensure their health and care systems are ready to meet this demand.”
The study also predicts the numbers with the disease across Europe will rise from 10million today to 19million in 2050.
Alzheimer’s Research UK said it is “the biggest health challenge of our time”.
The World Health Organisation said deaths from dementia have doubled since 2000. It is now the fifth biggest killer worldwide.
