For decades, understanding societal shifts and evolving public opinions has been a cornerstone of research. One valuable lens through which to analyze these dynamics is generational analysis. Generations offer a unique perspective, allowing us to examine individuals not only based on their current stage in life – be it young adulthood, middle age, or retirement – but also as members of a cohort born within a similar timeframe. But what is a Millennial and why is this generation so often discussed?
Generational cohorts provide researchers with a powerful tool to track changes in perspectives over time. By studying Millennials, alongside other generations like Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation Z, we can gain insights into how shared formative experiences – encompassing significant world events, technological advancements, economic shifts, and evolving social norms – intersect with the aging process and shape individuals’ worldviews. While opinions may differ between younger and older individuals at any given moment, generational cohorts enable researchers to trace how today’s older adults felt about specific issues when they were younger, and to chart how these viewpoints evolve across different generations.
Michael Dimock portrait, highlighting expertise in generational research.
Pew Research Center has dedicated over a decade to studying the Millennial generation. However, as time progresses, generational boundaries need re-evaluation. By 2018, it became apparent that establishing a definitive cutoff between Millennials and the subsequent generation was crucial. With the oldest Millennials approaching their late 30s, firmly established in adulthood, and having reached adulthood before today’s youngest adults were even born, the need for a clear distinction became evident.
To maintain the analytical relevance of the Millennial generation and to begin exploring the unique characteristics of the next cohort, Pew Research Center made a pivotal decision: 1996 would be designated as the final birth year for Millennials in their ongoing research. So, what are the Millennial years? According to this definition, anyone born between 1981 and 1996 is classified as a Millennial. This timeframe encompasses individuals who were roughly between 23 and 38 years old in 2019. Those born from 1997 onwards are considered part of a new generation, initially termed “post-Millennials” but now widely recognized as Generation Z.
Online search trends illustrating the dominance of “Generation Z” as the term for the post-Millennial generation.
Initially, there was some hesitation in naming the generation following Millennials, with “Generation Z,” “iGeneration,” and “Homelanders” being considered. However, “Gen Z” has firmly taken root in popular culture and media. Leading dictionaries and online resources now recognize “Generation Z” as the accepted term for the generation succeeding Millennials. Data from Google Trends further confirms this, demonstrating that searches for “Generation Z” significantly outweigh other potential names. While the process of naming generations isn’t strictly scientific, the widespread adoption of “Gen Z” is undeniable.
It’s important to understand that generational cutoff points are not precise scientific demarcations. They are best viewed as analytical tools, facilitating the types of in-depth analyses discussed earlier. While not arbitrary, their boundaries aren’t set in stone. Generation spans are often considered, but there’s no universally agreed-upon formula for their duration. The Millennial generation, defined by a 16-year span (1981-1996), mirrors the age range of Generation X (1965-1980). Both are shorter than the Baby Boomer generation (19 years), the only generation officially recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau, defined by the post-World War II baby boom starting in 1946 and a subsequent birth rate decline after 1964.
Unlike the Baby Boomers, later generational boundaries lack such clear-cut demographic thresholds. However, for analytical purposes, the 1996 cutoff between Millennials and Gen Z is meaningful due to key political, economic, and social factors that significantly shaped the Millennial generation’s formative years.
A visual guide defining birth year ranges for different generations, including Millennials and Generation Z.
What are the defining moments for Millennials? The majority of Millennials were between 5 and 20 years old when the 9/11 terrorist attacks occurred, an event of profound historical significance that many were old enough to grasp. In contrast, most members of Generation Z have little to no direct memory of 9/11. Millennials also grew up during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, conflicts that influenced broader political views and contributed to the intense political polarization prevalent today. Furthermore, most Millennials were between 12 and 27 during the 2008 election, witnessing the rise of the youth vote and the election of the first African American president. Millennials are also the most racially and ethnically diverse adult generation in U.S. history, a characteristic even more pronounced in Generation Z.
Beyond the political landscape, Millennials entered adulthood and the workforce during the peak of a major economic recession. This recession significantly impacted many of their life choices, career trajectories, and the transition to adulthood, in ways that may differ from younger generations. The long-term consequences of this “slow start” for Millennials are likely to shape American society for decades to come.
Technology, particularly the rapid evolution of communication and interaction methods, is another defining generational factor. Baby Boomers experienced the dramatic expansion of television, fundamentally altering lifestyles and global connectivity. Generation X witnessed the rise of the computer revolution, and Millennials came of age during the internet explosion.
What makes Millennials unique in this technological progression? For Generation Z, these technological advancements have been present from the beginning. The iPhone launched in 2007, when the oldest Gen Z members were around 10 years old. By their teenage years, mobile devices, WiFi, and high-bandwidth cellular service became the primary means for young Americans to access the internet. Social media, constant connectivity, and on-demand entertainment and communication are innovations that Millennials adapted to as they matured. For those born after 1996, these are largely taken for granted as inherent aspects of life.
The full implications of growing up in an “always-on” technological environment are still emerging. Recent research indicates significant shifts in youth behaviors, attitudes, and lifestyles – both positive and concerning – among those who came of age in this era. However, it remains uncertain whether these are lasting generational imprints or characteristics of adolescence that will fade over time. Tracking Generation Z over time will be crucial to understanding these long-term effects.
Pew Research Center acknowledges that they are not alone in establishing an analytical distinction between Millennials and subsequent generations. Many have presented well-reasoned arguments for slightly earlier or later cutoff points. Future data collection may reveal a more definitive delineation. The Center remains open to adjusting this boundary if new evidence warrants it. However, it’s likely that historical, technological, behavioral, and attitudinal data will reveal a continuum across generations rather than a sharp threshold. As observed in the past, differences within generations can be as significant as differences between them. The youngest and oldest members of a defined cohort may share more similarities with adjacent generations than with each other. This underscores that generations are inherently diverse and complex groups, not simplistic stereotypes.
Looking ahead, Pew Research Center will continue to expand its generational research. A recent report explored the views of Generation Z on key social and political issues, comparing them to older generations. While Gen Z’s perspectives are still developing, this initial analysis offers compelling insights into their potential influence on the future political landscape.
Upcoming demographic analyses will compare Millennials to previous generations at similar life stages, examining whether their demographic, economic, and household dynamics continue to stand out. Furthermore, building upon existing research on teen technology use, future studies will explore the daily lives, aspirations, and challenges faced by today’s teenagers.
However, caution is warranted when projecting onto a generation that is still young. Donald Trump may be the first U.S. president that most Gen Z members remember as they reach adulthood. Just as the contrasting presidencies of George W. Bush and Barack Obama shaped the political discourse for Millennials, the current political climate may similarly influence the attitudes and engagement of Gen Z, though the specifics remain to be seen. Despite the perceived importance of current events, the technologies, debates, and events that will truly shape Generation Z are likely still on the horizon.
Pew Research Center is committed to studying Generation Z as they navigate adulthood. It’s crucial to remember that generations are a valuable analytical tool – a lens through which to understand societal change – rather than a rigid label that oversimplifies the complexities of different groups.
Note: This article is updated from a post originally published on March 1, 2018, announcing Pew Research Center’s adoption of 1996 as the endpoint for the Millennial generation.
