The Greatest Generation, also known as the GI Generation, generally includes people born between 1901 and 1927, who came of age during the Great Depression and fought in or lived through World War II, though some definitions vary slightly (e.g., 1901-1924). As of 2026, the youngest members would be turning 99, with most surviving members being centenarians (over 100 years old).
The six main current generations, with approximate birth years, are the Greatest Generation/Traditionalists (pre-1946), Baby Boomers (1946-1964), Generation X (1965-1980), Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), Generation Z (Gen Z) (1997-2012), and Generation Alpha (Gen Alpha) (2013-2024/25). Each generation spans roughly 15-20 years, with slight variations in exact dates depending on the source, but these core ranges cover major cultural shifts and formative experiences.
The Greatest generation, those born 1901 to 1927, are known to have been born and come of age in the “American Century” of economic growth, technological progress, and mostly military triumph.
The Greatest Generation, also known as the G.I. Generation and the World War II Generation, is the demographic cohort of Americans following the Lost Generation and preceding the Silent Generation. This generation is generally defined as people born from 1901 to 1927.
Donald Trump is a Baby Boomer, born on June 14, 1946, making him one of the first in that generation, which typically spans 1946-1964; the Silent Generation precedes this, generally from 1925-1945, with President Joe Biden representing the latter. While Trump shares some traits with the broader Boomer demographic, his formative experiences as a wealthy individual diverged from many of his peers, though he later became a significant political figure for many in the generation.
There's no single "toughest" generation, as each faces unique struggles, but Generation X (born 1965-1980) is often cited as the most stressed due to balancing work, family, and finances while facing economic uncertainty, yet they also show high resilience, while younger generations like Gen Z grapple with unprecedented housing costs and climate anxiety, making the definition of "tough" subjective and dependent on the specific challenges faced.
The four most commonly discussed generations today, moving from oldest to youngest, are Baby Boomers (1946-1964), Generation X (1965-1980), Millennials (Gen Y, 1981-1996), and Generation Z (1997-2012), with the newer Generation Alpha (2010s-mid-2020s) following Gen Z, all defined by distinct cultural and technological experiences shaping their values and behaviors.
The Millennial generation still scores better when evaluating general knowledge but also beats the Z generation when it comes to extroverted skills like verbal reasoning.
Growing up during a period of wartime along with economic depression has caused millennials to lose their sense of youth and innocence just as the lost generation did. Along with disillusionment with their current society, both generations felt a disconnect from traditional values.
Boomers are the longest-living generation in history so far and increasing life expectancy makes it likely that they'll spend more time in retirement than their parents did, raising concerns about the ongoing viability of the Social Security system.
Generation Z, often shortened to Gen Z, is the term generally applied to those born between 1997 and 2012. Recent viral theories suggest this generation may be aging faster than others, particularly in the way they look.
The Baby Boomer generation, those of us born between 1946 and 1964, are often hailed as one of the luckiest generations in history. Our lifetime has been marked by remarkable social, economic, and technological changes, contributing to an unparalleled quality of life.
The term “Lost Generation” became associated with a group of writers and artists with whom Hemingway worked in Paris, France, during the early 1920s. However, the term also refers more broadly to all those who reached adulthood during World War I. In Europe, they have also been called “the generation of 1914.”
Across much of the world, it is no longer middle-aged adults who are the most miserable. Instead, young people, especially Gen Z, are reporting the highest levels of unhappiness of any age group.
While "Baby Boomers" (born 1946-1964) remains the standard, some newer terms distinguish sub-groups, like Generation Jones for later Boomers (mid-1950s to mid-1960s) who experienced economic challenges, contrasting with earlier Boomers often called Classic Boomers, but generally, there's no single widely adopted new overarching name, just refinements within the existing framework.
Heard of Generation X? They're the often-overlooked group stuck between the larger Baby Boomers and Millennials. But don't be fooled — they're more influential than people give them credit for. Often called the 'slacker generation' or 'MTV generation', Gen X was born between 1965 and 1980.
Zoomers (Generation Z) are people born between 1997 and 2012, making them approximately 13 to 28 years old in 2025, a digitally native cohort that followed Millennials and precedes Generation Alpha, known for growing up with the internet and smartphones.
Rising Costs vs.
For Millennials and Gen Z, the challenge of saving has been amplified by the economic landscape, where the cost of living has surged while wages have remained relatively stagnant. Essentials such as housing, education, and healthcare have become increasingly expensive.
Age and generation both matter for happiness. As between generations, those born before 1965 (Boomers and their predecessors) have life evaluations about one-quarter of a point higher than those born after 1980 (Millennials and Gen Z).
Whilst boomers and millennials may use the 😂 emoji, this has long since been deemed 'uncool' (or 'cheugy') by Gen Z. Instead, this has been replaced by the skull (💀) or the crying emoji (😭), dramatising the idea of 'dying with laughter'.
Baby boomers hold more than $85 trillion in assets, making them the richest generation by far. New research explores the extraordinary rise in their good fortunes — one that experts say successive generations will be hard-pressed to replicate.
Millennials are the most educated generation in U.S. history—yet many are still financially behind. Nearly 40% hold a bachelor's degree, but they earn about 20% less than baby boomers did at the same age, even after adjusting for inflation.
What Do Baby Boomers Value? Baby Boomers typically value financial security, prioritizing stable jobs, homeownership, and retirement savings. Having grown up during a time of economic prosperity, they witnessed firsthand the benefits of financial stability, which has shaped their desire for long-term security.