Overview

Neurological conditions are diseases of the nervous system, which affect the brain, spinal cord, and/or the nerves connecting these to the rest of the body. There are over 600 different neurological conditions with a variety of causes. Neurological conditions are a leading cause of burden in Australia.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) now reports on a wide range of neurological conditions:

Although a few neurological conditions are common (for example, migraine), most neurological conditions are rare. And yet they pose significant health problems.

An estimated 2.2 million (1 in 12) Australians were estimated to be living with long-term neurological conditions in 2022.
Almost 1 in 4 neurological condition emergency department presentations in 2023 was for migraine.
In 2021–22, 60% of Australians in permanent residential aged care had neurological conditions listed as a condition affecting care.
Dementia was the leading cause of total burden of disease for neurological conditions in 2024.

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Latest findings

About 2.2 million (1 in 12) Australians were estimated to be living with long-term neurological conditions in 2022

In 2021–22, 60% of Australians in permanent residential aged care had neurological conditions affecting their care

Migraine accounted for over three-quarters (1.7 million) of Australians living with neurological conditions

In 2024 an estimated 425,000 Australians were living with dementia

Dementia was the leading cause of death in Australia in 2023, responsible for 1 in 10 deaths

Over one million Australians are projected to have dementia by 2065

More reports and statistics on neurological conditions can be found under Dementia and Heart, stroke and vascular disease.