An estimate of the total worldwide societal costs of dementia in 2005.

BACKGROUND The aim of this report was to estimate the worldwide cost of dementia in 2005 from a societal viewpoint. METHODS Costs were estimated by combining prevalence estimates, country and region specific data on Gross Domestic Product per person, and average wage with results from previously published cost-of-illness studies in different countries. Direct medical and nonmedical costs as well as costs for informal care were included. RESULTS The total worldwide societal cost of dementia, on the basis of a dementia population of 29.3 million persons, was estimated to be US$315.4 billion in 2005, including US$105 billion for informal care (33%). Seventy-seven percent of the total costs occurred in the more developed regions, with 46% of the prevalence. CONCLUSIONS Worldwide costs for dementia are enormous, and informal care constitutes a major cost component, in particular in less developed regions. The health economics of dementia is a highly relevant area for further research.