Asthma deaths reach decade-high levels and number of Australians dying of dementia grows

Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, accounted for more than 10% of all deaths for the first time, new data reveals

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Dementia has accounted for more than 10% of all deaths for the first time, while the number of people dying from asthma is at decade-high levels, new data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reveals.

There were 188,421 deaths registered in 2025. Of these, 19,019 deaths were caused by dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, the ABS deaths data released on Tuesday shows. It has been the leading cause of death in Australia since 2024.

The other leading causes of death in 2025 were ischaemic heart diseases, cerebrovascular diseases (such as stroke), lung cancer and chronic respiratory diseases.

Dementia Australia’s chief executive, Prof Tanya Buchanan, said there was an urgent need to act on dementia, given it was a leading public health issue.

“The data underlines the critical need for more recognition and funding to support people living with dementia, their families and carers,” Buchanan said.

There are an estimated 446,500 Australians currently living with dementia, and a further 1.7 million people involved in their care, she said.

“Despite the growing impact of dementia, investment in specific services, supports and prevention have not kept the same pace, and the stigma that surrounds dementia continues,” she said.

The data also revealed the highest number of asthma deaths recorded in a decade.

There were 484 Australians who died from asthma in 2025, up from 478 deaths in 2024.

Women account for almost two-thirds of asthma deaths, and almost two-thirds of all dementia deaths.

Asthma Australia’s CEO, Kate Miranda, said poorly controlled asthma increases the risk and is a preventable reason behind many asthma-related deaths.

“We have effective treatments and clear clinical guidelines, yet too many Australians are not getting the care they need to stay well,” she said.

Research has found the proportion of adults with well-controlled asthma has been falling, with many using little or no preventer treatment. Adherence among those using inhaled corticosteroids was also worsening, Miranda said.

Too many people only used asthma-reliever medications, and rely on it for their symptoms.

“But it doesn’t treat the underlying inflammation,” Miranda said.

“People, especially those with mild cases, think ‘it’s just asthma’, so they don’t get regular checkups and talk to their GP about their medication. People might take preventer medication on high pollen days or when they have a cold, but then they don’t take it otherwise.”

She said people should be aware that asthma guidelines have shifted to recommend anti-inflammatory reliever (Air) therapy, an anti-inflammatory that also treats symptoms.