Dementia and Alzheimer's crisis in Cyprus

Cyprus is currently facing a silent public health crisis regarding the rising number of individuals living with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. As of 2025, over 16,000 people, representing 1.19% of the population, are affected by these conditions. According to data from Alzheimer Europe, the situation is projected to worsen significantly over the next few decades, with the number of patients expected to reach 35,780 by 2050—a 120% increase that will likely strain the national healthcare system (Gesy) and social welfare structures.

Despite the scale of the challenge, reports indicate that Cyprus lags behind other European nations in providing necessary infrastructure, care services, and legislative support. Currently, the burden of care is placed primarily on family members rather than being addressed as a structural state policy. European assessments have placed Cyprus in the lowest tier alongside Armenia and Ukraine regarding the recognition of basic care and labor rights for patients and caregivers.

In response to these systemic deficiencies, media outlets have announced plans to launch comprehensive investigative reports to highlight the reality of the crisis. These efforts aim to transition the issue from a private, often ignored struggle into an organized public policy priority, as the current lack of state intervention persists.