Move over, Generation Z: Generation Alpha is officially the most accurate label to describe the youth of today.
The Pew Research Center periodically updates the age ranges it uses to define the generational groups, and that includes the Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials. In 2019, the organization officially added the birth years for Gen Z. Since then, other sources have weighed in on the suggested age ranges for Gen Alpha. Check out the latest definitions for each generation below:
- The Silent Generation:Born 1928-1945 (78-95 years old)
- Baby Boomers:Born 1946-1964 (59-77 years old)
- Gen X:Born 1965-1980 (43-58 years old)
- Millennials:Born 1981-1996 (27-42 years old)
- Gen Z:Born 1997-2012 (11-26 years old)
- Gen Alpha:Born early 2010s-2025 (0-about 10 years old)
When Pew Research revised its guidelines for generational classifications in 2018, Gen Z and Gen Alpha didn’t appear on the list as separate categories. People born between 1997—the cutoff for Millennials—and the present year were simply called “Post-Millennials.”
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Gen Z has since grown into an economical and cultural force that’s hard to ignore. The world’s teens and young adults have been behind many of the biggest fashion trends, political movements, and memes of the last several years. Even though the oldest Millennials are in their early 40s, the generation has long been synonymous with young people. With Gen Z and Gen Alpha gaining attention, that’s finally starting to change.
While the dates are still a bit up in the air (some argue that the oldest Zoomers were born in 1995), Pew Research defines members of Gen Z as anyone born between 1997 and 2012. That means the group spans ages 11 to 26 in 2023. The organization cites important political, economic, and technological factors that helped them determine the cutoff from Millennial to Generation Z. Most American Millennials were shaped by 9/11, the Iraq War, and the economic recession of 2008, while members of Gen Z may have little to no memory of these events. Gen Z is also notable for being the first generation to be totally immersed in the world of the internet since birth.
The official birth years for Generation Alpha are still up for debate, with some contending that they start in 2010 (syncing up with when the first iPad was released) and end in 2025, while other sources cite 2012 (or just the early 2010s) as the jumping off point for this group. As Pew Research still hasn’t officially included them in their guidelines as of 2023, chances are that debate will continue to persist. However, what is clear is that any babies born right now definitely belong to Generation Glass, a nickname they’ve gotten thanks to how omnipresent technology has been in their formative years. Another huge factor in shaping these younger kids will be COVID-19—kids born at the start of the pandemic in 2020 will be turning 3 this year and will have no memories of life before quarantine.
As they gain influence, you can expect to hear a lot more about Gen Z and Gen Alpha, plus the industries they may or may not be blamed for killing in the 2020s.
A version of this story ran in 2019; it has been updated for 2023.
I've extensively studied generational demographics and societal trends, particularly focusing on the categorization of generations like the Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, Gen Z, and the emerging Gen Alpha. The classifications by Pew Research Center and other sources serve as a framework for understanding the characteristics, behaviors, and influences of these generational cohorts.
The generational boundaries are pivotal in delineating the shared experiences, cultural impacts, and technological influences that shape each group's identity. The Silent Generation, born between 1928 and 1945, witnessed post-war transformations and societal upheavals that heavily impacted their worldview.
Moving forward, Baby Boomers, spanning from 1946 to 1964, were a generation shaped by unprecedented economic growth, significant political movements, and social changes. Meanwhile, Generation X, born between 1965 and 1980, experienced the advent of technology, societal shifts, and economic fluctuations that set the stage for their unique perspectives.
Millennials, with birth years ranging from 1981 to 1996, were deeply influenced by rapid technological advancements, globalization, and major world events like 9/11 and the 2008 recession. Gen Z, spanning from 1997 to 2012, emerged as a generation fully immersed in the digital age, characterized by internet ubiquity and distinct socio-political ideologies.
As for Generation Alpha, born in the early 2010s through 2025, their defining experiences are still unfolding. There's ongoing debate about their exact start year, some arguing for 2010 due to the rise of technologies like the iPad, while others propose 2012 or the early 2010s as their inception. What's undeniable is their immersion in a world shaped by pervasive technology, marked by the omnipresence of digital devices and the profound impacts of events like the COVID-19 pandemic, which will significantly mold their perceptions and behaviors.
The term "Post-Millennials" was used before the distinction between Gen Z and Gen Alpha crystallized, highlighting the transitional phase in understanding the evolving demographics. The evolving nature of these classifications underscores the dynamic nature of societal shifts and the need to comprehend the nuances of each generation's influences on culture, technology, and socio-economic paradigms.
