Understanding Generations Y and Z People belonging to Generation Y are also called millennials. The term is referred to describe the people who were born between the years 1981 to 1996. On the other hand, people born between the years 1997 to 2015 are considered to belong to generation Z or are simply called zoomers.
A Millennial is anyone born between 1980 and 1995. In the U.S., there are roughly 80 million Millennials. A member of Gen Z is anyone born between 1996 and the early-mid 2000s (end date can vary depending on source). In the U.S., there are approximately 90 million members of Gen Z, or “Gen Zers.”
GENERATION Y OR THE MILLENNIALS: DIGITAL NATIVES
Also known as digital natives, millennials are those born between 1982 and 1994 and technology is part of their everyday lives: all their activities are mediated by a screen. The concept of on and off is completely integrated into their lives.
Gen Z students were born into technology.
Gen Z students are digital natives, meaning they have little or no memory of the world as it existed before smartphones. Previous generations lived through the computer and internet revolutions, while they've only known a world with high-tech opportunities.
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)
Zillennials (sometimes called Zennials) are the micro-generation of individuals born on the cusp of the Millennial and Generation Z demographic cohorts.
Generation Z has not only been influenced by the economic and political climates in which they've grown up, but they have also come of age at a time when profound shifts have been occurring on a cultural level. In this aspect, following the Strauss-Howe thesis, Gen Zs are supposedly resembling the Silent Generation.
They're nostalgic. Gen Z are 19% more likely than other generations to say they prefer to think about the past rather than the future. Their fondness for the past is most prevalent in their music and fashion preferences, with 90s music their second-favorite genre (among Gen Zs).
What are the values of Gen Z? Gen Z is known for being resourceful, independent learners who value diversity and inclusive culture and place a priority on well-being and mental health in the workplace.
' They are highly collaborative, self-reliant and pragmatic, according to new Stanford-affiliated research. Generation Z, the first generation never to know the world without the internet, value diversity and finding their own unique identities, says Stanford scholar Roberta Katz.
Characteristics of Gen Y. People of Gen Y can be described as self-confident and ambitious. Sometimes folks think that they are not self-confident but rather arrogant. Success in Millennials careers' is not as important to them as their family and their friends are.
Generation Y can be confident and ambitious. They are not afraid to question authority, are constantly seeking out new challenges and want meaningful work. Generation Y people typically want to be part of a team, but at the same time they desire to be in the spotlight.
Generation Y is the first generation to grow up with the internet, cell phones and digital communication. “Digital natives'' is a term often used to describe people who grew up tech-savvy. These professionals are comfortable learning and using the latest software releases in the workplace.
The Similarities of Millennials and Gen Z-ers
These two groups actually have a major thing in common – their love of video storytelling and their love of Instagram. Alongside Instagram, YouTube is a major source of entertainment for both generations.
Generation Z, also called Gen Z, zoomers, iGeneration, centennials, post-millennials, or Homelanders, term used to describe Americans born during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
The term 'Zillennial' is a word used to describe people who were born three years before the end of the Millennial generation or three years into Gen-Z. So basically, if you were born between 1993 and 1998 – you can officially use this label with pride.
In the short term, Gen Z's stress is leading to ambivalence and withdrawal in their professional lives. According to 2022 data from Gallup, they are the most disengaged group at work. They also report more overall stress and work-related burnout than other cohorts.
Gen Z is also the smartest and best educated generation. Having an unlimited wealth of information at our disposal has not gone to waste. In America, 57 percent of Gen Z is reported to have enrolled in a two-year or four-year college, compared to 52 percent of Millenials and 43 percent of Gen X.
Baby boomers have the highest household net worth of any US generation. Defined by the Federal Reserve as being born between 1946 and 1964 (currently in the ages between 59 and 77), baby boomers are in often in the sunset of their career or early into retirement.
They Are Pragmatic and Financially Minded
Many Gen Zers grew up watching their parents take huge financial hits during the Great Recession. Having witnessed their parents' struggles, this generation is driven by pragmatism and security.
According to a 2021 Consumer Culture Report by 5WPR, Gen Z is prioritizing electronics, technology, health, and wellness. Conversely, Millennials and those from older generations prioritize travel and experiences, home goods, and furniture.
Gen Z (42%) is about twice as likely as Americans over 25 (23%) to battle depression and feelings of hopelessness.
Gen Z moms feel less confident.
They put more emphasis on being the "perfect mom" compared to Millennials, and they strive to reach more parenting ideals, from keeping kids busy to owning the scheduling for the entire family.
The Pew Research Center uses 1928 to 1945 as birth years for this cohort. According to this definition, people of the Silent Generation are 78 to 95 years old in 2023.