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3. Deaths from dementia and Alzheimer's disease are increasing

In 2011, every fifth death at the age of 80 or over was caused by dementia or Alzheimer's disease. The number has more than doubled over the past 20 years. The growth is partly caused by improved diagnostics, but also clearly by the ageing of the population.

Figure 6. Age-standardised dementia mortality (incl. Alzheimer's disease) in 1969 to 2011

Because dementia becomes more common steeply with age, along with the lengthening of life expectancy, more people get dementia and die as a result of it. This concerns particularly women, because women live longer than men do, on average. The number of deaths from dementia and Alzheimer's disease was 6,200 in 2011. Sixty-nine per cent of them were women. Nearly three-quarters (71.4%) of deaths were caused by Alzheimer's disease.

Source: Causes of death, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Marja-Liisa Helminen 09 1734 3273, Airi Pajunen 09 1734 3605, kuolemansyyt@stat.fi

Director in charge: Jari Tarkoma

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Updated 21.12.2012