Generation X (Gen X), born roughly between 1965 and 1980, is historically considered the smallest major generation by population due to lower birth rates, often called the "forgotten" or "middle child" generation. However, demographic projections suggest that Generation Alpha (Gen Alpha), born from the early 2010s, might become even smaller due to declining global birth rates.
However, researchers warn that this trend could be altered by changing immigration patterns and the younger members of Generation Z choosing alternate educational paths. As a demographic cohort, Generation Z is smaller than the baby boomers and their children, the Millennials.
Gen Alpha has several nicknames, such as “Generation Glass” or “iPad Kids,” referring to their early interaction with screens and technology. Since many Gen A children have Millennial parents, they can also go by the term “Mini Millennials.”
Someone born in 2010 is generally considered the cusp between Generation Z (Gen Z) and Generation Alpha (Gen Alpha), with many sources placing them in Generation Alpha (2010-2024) as the first year of that cohort, while others see 2010 as the last year of Gen Z (1997-2010/2012). The primary difference lies in whether the generation ends in 2009/2010 or 2012, but most researchers agree Gen Alpha starts in 2010 or 2013.
Generation X – born 1965-1979. Millennials – born 1980-1994. Generation Z – born 1995-2012. Gen Alpha – born 2013 – 2025.
For Gen Z, the 😭 (Loudly Crying Face) emoji usually means something is overwhelmingly funny, cute, or heartwarming, signifying "crying with laughter" or being emotionally moved, rather than actual sadness, often replacing the older 😂 emoji for intense amusement. It's used for exaggerated, positive reactions to things like relatable humor, adorable pets, or touching moments.
While other cohorts (e.g., Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, Generation Z) are defined by age brackets, Gen C is defined by its members' digital-first lifestyle and mindset. So whether someone is 10 or 82 years old, they can still be a part of Gen C.
They're called the Silent Generation (born roughly 1928-1945) because they were known for being conformist, hardworking, and cautious, often keeping quiet and working within the system rather than challenging it, a trait linked to growing up during the Great Depression, WWII, and the McCarthy era's anti-communist fears. A 1951 Time magazine article coined the term, contrasting them with their rebellious parents and noting their quiet demeanor.
Generation Z (Gen Z) refers to the generation born from 1997 to 2012. Gen Z is bracketed between Millennials (born from 1981 to 1996) and Generation Alpha. The oldest members of Gen Z are starting their post-education years with careers and possibly families. The youngest Gen Zers are just 13 years old in 2025.
"Rizz" is a term popular with both Gen Z and Gen Alpha, originating from Gen Z creators on platforms like TikTok, but quickly adopted and expanded by Gen Alpha through similar online spaces, essentially meaning charisma or charm, especially in flirting. While Gen Z popularized it, Gen Alpha has embraced it rapidly, even developing variations like "rizzler" or "unspoken rizz" within their own fast-evolving internet slang culture.
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.
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.
Following the trend, the next generation after Gen Beta is likely to be Generation Gamma, born between 2040 and 2054. As we navigate these changing generations, McCrindle emphasized the importance of understanding their needs, values and preferences to anticipate how they will shape society's future.
Older members of Gen Z leaned progressive while younger members were more conservative, particularly in the United States. Movements associated with Gen Z so far include fourth-wave feminism, School Strike for Climate, March for Our Lives, Students Against Discrimination and Pro-Palestine movement.
Zillennials, or Zennials, is a social cohort encompassing people born on the cusp of or during the latter years of the Millennial generation and the early years of Generation Z. Sources typically give ranges of those born from 1993 to 1998, though some extend this further in either direction.
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'.
In their midlife during the early 21st century, research describes Gen Xers as active, happy, and achieving a work–life balance. The cohort has also been more broadly described as entrepreneurial and productive in the workplace.
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.
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.
In contrast, Millennials's resentment toward Baby Boomers is driven primarily by practical concerns over their life prospects (i.e., realistic threat). Identifying the causes of intergenerational tensions also begs the question of how these tensions may be alleviated.
Members of the baby boomer generation were born between 1946 and 1964. Thus, those born in 1946 and still alive will be turning 80 this year.
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.
Generation Z refers to people born between 1996 and 2010. They're the second-youngest generation, between millennials and Generation Alpha. Gen Z identity has been shaped by the digital age, climate anxiety, a shifting financial landscape, and COVID-19.