Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia accounted for 12.7% of all deaths in England and Wales last year, according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics. There were 67,641 deaths attributed to the condition, up from 62,948 in 2016.

Overall, there were 533,253 deaths in England and Wales in 2017, the highest number registered annually since 2003.

Age-standardised mortality rates decreased slightly for both sexes in 2017 as did those for cancers, respiratory diseases and circulatory diseases, while rates for mental and behavioural disorders, and diseases of the nervous system increased by 3.6% and 7% respectively.