ONS data shows dementia remains the leading cause of death in the UK and is disproportionally affecting women
Data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has shown that dementia remains the leading cause of death in England and Wales, responsible for one in eight of all deaths in 2025.
The data also shows that dementia is disproportionately affecting women. In 2025:
- 45,874 women died from dementia in England and Wales, the second highest number on record
- Dementia is the cause of death for one in six females
- In women aged 80+ this rises to one in four deaths
Commenting on the data, Michelle Dyson CB, CEO of Alzheimer’s Society, says:
“As the UK’s biggest killer, dementia affects all of us. Yet it has a disproportionate impact on women compared to other major health conditions. They are more likely to develop the condition, die from it and bear the brunt of care.
This new data further emphasises the immense toll this condition has on women. They are repeatedly being failed by a system that is stuck in delay and denial.”
View the 2025 edition of the ONS data here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/datasets/deathsregisteredsummarystatisticsenglandandwales
Read more from the Alzheimer’s Society here: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/news/2026-07-03/dementia-deaths-among-women-highest-level-five-years