Worldwide costs associated with caring for people with dementia reached $315 billion in 2005, according to a new report. The U.S. alone spent an estimated $76 billion.

The “graying of the world,” combined with the higher gross domestic product in developing countries, have contributed to the increase in spending, according to lead author for the study Dr. Anders Wimo of the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm. In 2003, the worldwide cost for dementia-related care was estimated at $250 billion.

More than half, or 54%, of the dementia patients in the world, live in developing countries. But they account for 23% of the worldwide costs, the study found.