For the moment, 190,477 Belgians have it, but by the middle of the century, it would be 330,572 Belgians. Globally, this group of patients is expected to triple, from 57 million to 153 million in 2050.
The main reason for this increase is the aging of the population – the older the age, the higher the risk of developing dementia – but lifestyle also plays a role.
Smoking, obesity and diabetes are risk factors. As well as a low level of education, which would tend to be linked to a less healthy lifestyle and lower cognitive reserves.
