This page provides a global perspective on neurodegenerative disease epidemiology, covering regions beyond the major economies. It synthesizes data from WHO, GBD studies, and regional research to present a worldwide view of disease burden.
| Country/Region |
Alzheimer's |
Parkinson's |
Notes |
| South Korea |
800,000 |
200,000 |
Rapidly aging |
| Indonesia |
200,000 |
100,000 |
Underreported |
| Thailand |
500,000 |
100,000 |
Growing |
| Vietnam |
300,000 |
80,000 |
Limited data |
| Philippines |
200,000 |
60,000 |
|
| Malaysia |
150,000 |
50,000 |
|
| Australia |
400,000 |
100,000 |
Well-documented |
| New Zealand |
50,000 |
15,000 |
|
| Country/Region |
Alzheimer's |
Parkinson's |
Notes |
| Brazil |
1.5 million |
400,000 |
Largest in region |
| Mexico |
800,000 |
200,000 |
|
| Argentina |
400,000 |
100,000 |
|
| Colombia |
300,000 |
80,000 |
|
| Chile |
200,000 |
50,000 |
|
| Peru |
200,000 |
50,000 |
|
| Venezuela |
150,000 |
40,000 |
|
Key Characteristics:
- Younger onset age than developed countries
- Limited diagnostic infrastructure
- Family-based care predominant
- Rising prevalence with demographic transition
| Region |
Alzheimer's |
Parkinson's |
Notes |
| Turkey |
600,000 |
150,000 |
|
| Saudi Arabia |
100,000 |
30,000 |
Limited data |
| Iran |
400,000 |
100,000 |
|
| Egypt |
300,000 |
80,000 |
|
| Nigeria |
200,000 |
50,000 |
Very limited data |
| South Africa |
100,000 |
30,000 |
|
Challenges:
- Very limited epidemiological data
- Underdiagnosis widespread
- Conflict zones severely impact healthcare
- Different disease patterns (younger onset)
| Country |
Alzheimer's |
Parkinson's |
Notes |
| Russia |
1.5 million |
400,000 |
Underestimated |
| Ukraine |
500,000 |
120,000 |
Post-conflict |
| Poland |
600,000 |
150,000 |
Growing |
| Romania |
400,000 |
100,000 |
|
| Czech Republic |
200,000 |
50,000 |
|
| Disease |
Cases |
% of Global Burden |
Top Regions |
| Alzheimer's/Dementia |
55-60 million |
— |
China, Europe, US |
| Parkinson's Disease |
10-12 million |
— |
China, Europe, US |
| ALS |
350,000-400,000 |
— |
US, Europe |
| FTD |
1-1.5 million |
— |
US, Europe |
| Huntington's Disease |
150,000-200,000 |
— |
US, Europe |
| Region |
Dementia Cases |
% Global |
Notes |
| Asia-Pacific |
25-30 million |
45-50% |
Largest region |
| Europe |
14-17 million |
25-30% |
Highest per capita |
| North America |
8-9 million |
15% |
|
| Latin America |
4-5 million |
8% |
Rising |
| Middle East/Africa |
2-3 million |
5% |
Underreported |
¶ Age-Standardized Prevalence (per 1,000 population, 65+)
| Country |
Dementia |
Parkinson's |
Notes |
| Japan |
170-190 |
15-20 |
Highest |
| Italy |
160-180 |
15-18 |
|
| Germany |
150-170 |
12-15 |
|
| UK |
130-150 |
10-12 |
|
| US |
110-130 |
10-12 |
|
| China |
60-80 |
8-10 |
Rising rapidly |
| India |
50-70 |
5-8 |
Underreported |
| Brazil |
80-100 |
8-10 |
|
| Region |
Specialists per 1M |
MRI Access |
Diagnosis Rate |
| Western Europe |
20-30 |
90% |
60-70% |
| North America |
15-25 |
95% |
50-60% |
| East Asia |
10-20 |
70% |
40-50% |
| Latin America |
5-10 |
50% |
30-40% |
| South Asia |
1-3 |
20% |
10-20% |
| Africa |
<1 |
10% |
<10% |
- APOE4 allele: Higher in European populations
- LRRK2 G2019S: More common in European, less in Asian
- GBA variants: Higher in Ashkenazi, European descent
- Industrial regions: Higher PD rates (toxins)
- Rural/agricultural: Pesticide exposure correlation
- Smoking: Risk factor for PD, protective for AD
- Mediterranean diet: Protective effect
- Cardiovascular health: Strong correlation with dementia
- Education: Higher education protective
- Global Dementia Observatory: Data collection
- Dementia Atlas: Country-level data
- Global Action Plan: 2025-2030
- World FTD Initiative: International collaboration
- International Parkinson's Disease Genomics Alliance
- Human Brain Project: European Union
| Year |
Cases |
Change from 2025 |
| 2025 |
55 million |
Baseline |
| 2030 |
70 million |
+27% |
| 2040 |
95 million |
+73% |
| 2050 |
130 million |
+136% |
Regional Changes:
- Asia: +200% (driven by China, India)
- Europe: +80%
- North America: +50%
- Latin America: +150%
- Africa: +300% (limited current data)
- WHO Global Dementia Observatory
- GBD 2024 Neurological Disorders Study
- Alzheimer's Disease International
- Parkinson's Foundation Global Data