Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, has surpassed 10 percent of all deaths in Australia for the first time, according to newly released data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). In 2025, dementia was recorded as the leading cause of death for the second consecutive year, accounting for 19,019 deaths out of 188,421 registered nationally. The condition was the most common cause of death among women and in every state and territory except for the Northern Territory, where ischaemic heart disease remained the top cause alongside diabetes.
The rate of dementia-related deaths has risen significantly, increasing by 37 percent since 2016, while deaths from ischaemic heart disease have declined by 16 percent in the same period. Despite the rise in dementia fatalities, its rate per 100,000 people has remained relatively steady at just over 45. Other major causes of death in 2025 included cerebrovascular diseases, trachea, bronchus and lung cancers, and chronic lower respiratory diseases, all of which showed a decrease.
Dementia Australia’s CEO, Professor Tanya Buchanan, stressed the urgency of increased recognition, funding, and support for people living with dementia, their families, and carers. She highlighted that approximately 446,500 Australians currently live with dementia, with a further 1.7 million involved in their care. Without significant intervention, these numbers are projected to exceed one million by 2065. Professor Buchanan also pointed to ongoing stigma and insufficient investment in services and prevention as concerns that need addressing.
In addition to dementia, the 2025 data revealed the highest number of asthma deaths in a decade, with 484 fatalities recorded, marking a slight increase from 478 deaths in 2024. Women comprised nearly two-thirds of asthma-related deaths. Kate Miranda, CEO of Asthma Australia, attributed many of these deaths to poorly managed asthma and insufficient use of preventive medication. She emphasized that despite effective treatments and clear clinical guidelines, many Australians use only reliever inhalers and do not consistently manage their condition, increasing their risk of severe outcomes.
Drug-induced deaths also rose from 2,007 in 2024 to 2,063 in 2025. The ABS noted that opioids and benzodiazepines remain the most implicated substances, with a growing number of deaths linked to stimulant drugs such as methamphetamine. Suicide persisted as the leading cause of premature death across genders, with men accounting for nearly three-quarters of these deaths. The median age for suicide victims was 45, and the total number was 3,283 in 2025.
Other notable trends included a 60 percent increase in deaths caused by falls and fractures since 2016, making it the seventh most common cause of death last year. Deaths due to complications from medical and surgical care stood at 84, mostly related to adverse drug reactions. Uncommon causes such as excessive cold, venomous animal encounters, and animal strikes or bites were also documented.
The ABS data underscores evolving patterns in Australia’s mortality landscape, highlighting growing public health challenges related to dementia, asthma, drug use, and injury prevention.