The number of people in Ireland with dementia will more than double to 140,000 by 2050, a study revealed yesterday.
An ageing population will lead to an explosion in cases, the Alzheimer Europe report found.
There are currently 55,000 people with dementia living here, but this is expected to rise to 141,200 in the next 30 years.
Tina Leonard, of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, said: “The overall picture is extremely stark as Ireland now faces a full-blown public health crisis with a predicted 141,200 people living with dementia by 2050.
"This will exert extreme pressure on stretched dementia supports and services which are already in a state of crisis.
“The new Government must finally tackle the crisis in dementia care.”
The ratio of the population here who are expected to have dementia in 30 years shows a jump from 1.09% in 2018 to 2.49% by 2050.
A key factor appears to be the significant increase in the numbers of men and women aged over 60. This trend is heightened because of a particular spike in the number aged over 85, which will more than triple in that period.
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