For many years, understanding societal attitudes and demographic differences has been a core mission at Pew Research Center. Generations have become a key lens through which we analyze these dynamics, offering insights into how life stages and shared birth years shape perspectives.
Generational analysis allows us to examine Americans based on their current life phase – be it young adulthood, middle age, or retirement – and their belonging to a group born around the same time. These cohorts share formative experiences, from major world events to shifts in technology, economy, and society, influencing their views as they age. While age-related viewpoints are natural, generational cohorts help us track how opinions evolve over time and differ across generations. We can see how today’s seniors felt about issues when they were young and how different generations’ views progress.
Michael Dimock, president of Pew Research Center, emphasizes the importance of generational studies in understanding societal shifts.
Pew Research Center’s dedication to studying generations is evident in our extensive work on the Millennial generation. Having tracked Millennials for over a decade, by 2018, it was essential to define where this generation ended and the next one began. The oldest Millennials, already in their late 30s, had reached adulthood well before today’s youngest adults were even born.
To maintain the analytical relevance of the Millennial cohort and to start exploring the unique characteristics of the following group, Pew Research Center established 1996 as the final birth year for Millennials. This means individuals born between 1981 and 1996 (aged 23 to 38 in 2019) are classified as Millennials. Crucially, anyone born from 1997 onwards is considered part of a new generation, now widely known as Generation Z.
Since the oldest Gen Z individuals were just turning 22 in 2019, with most still in their teens or younger, initially there was some hesitation in naming this generation. Terms like “Generation Z,” “iGeneration,” and “Homelanders” were early contenders. In our initial studies, we even used “post-Millennials” as a temporary label. However, “Gen Z” has rapidly gained traction in popular culture and media. From dictionaries like Merriam-Webster and Oxford to online resources like Urban Dictionary, “Generation Z” is now the recognized term for the generation succeeding Millennials. Google Trends data confirms that “Generation Z” is by far the most searched term when people seek information about this cohort. While no definitive method exists for naming generations, “Gen Z” has clearly become the prevailing choice.
Online search trends reveal “Generation Z” as the dominant term when people look for information on the generation after Millennials.
It’s important to remember that generational cutoffs are not precise scientific boundaries. They serve as analytical tools. While generation spans can vary, there’s no fixed rule for their length. The Millennial generation, defined by Pew Research Center as spanning 16 years (1981-1996), mirrors the length of Generation X (1965-1980). Both are slightly shorter than the Baby Boomer generation (19 years), the only generation officially recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau, based on the post-World War II baby boom starting in 1946 and a birth rate decline after 1964.
Unlike the Boomers, later generations lack such clear, official defining moments. However, for analytical purposes, 1996 is a significant dividing line between Millennials and Gen Z. This cutoff aligns with crucial political, economic, and social events that profoundly shaped the Millennial generation’s formative years, distinguishing them from Gen Z.
A visual representation of generational ranges, highlighting the defined years for Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Generation Z.
A key differentiator is that most Millennials were between 5 and 20 years old during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, an event of immense historical significance that many Gen Z members have little to no memory of. Millennials also grew up amidst the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, contributing to political polarization. Furthermore, the 2008 election, with its powerful youth vote and the election of the first Black president, occurred when most Millennials were between 12 and 27, deeply influencing their political views. Millennials are also recognized as the most racially and ethnically diverse adult generation in U.S. history, a characteristic amplified even further in Generation Z, which is proving to be even more diverse.
Economically, Millennials entered adulthood during a major recession. This economic downturn significantly impacted their life choices, career paths, and entry into adulthood, potentially in ways that differ from younger generations. The long-term consequences of this “slow start” for Millennials will continue to shape American society for decades.
Technological advancements, especially in communication and interaction, are another crucial factor in shaping generations. Baby Boomers witnessed the rise of television, Generation X experienced the computer revolution, and Millennials grew up with the internet explosion.
Generation Z’s defining technological experience is that these advancements have been present from their beginning. The iPhone launched in 2007, when the oldest Gen Z individuals were around 10. By their teenage years, mobile devices, WiFi, and high-speed cellular service were the primary means for young Americans to access the internet. Social media, constant connectivity, and on-demand entertainment are innovations Millennials adapted to; for Gen Z, they are the norm. Growing up in this “always-on” technological environment is beginning to reveal significant shifts in youth behaviors, attitudes, and lifestyles, both positive and negative. It remains to be seen whether these are lasting generational traits or simply characteristics of adolescence that will evolve as Gen Z ages. Tracking this generation over time is essential.
Pew Research Center acknowledges that other researchers and organizations may define the Millennial-Gen Z cutoff slightly differently, with valid arguments for earlier or later years. As more data emerges, a more precise delineation might become apparent. We remain open to adjusting our definition if necessary. However, current data suggests a continuum across generations rather than a sharp divide. This implies that differences within a generation can be as significant as those between generations. The youngest and oldest members of a generation might share more similarities with adjacent generations than with each other. This highlights the inherent diversity and complexity within generational groups, cautioning against simplistic stereotypes.
Moving forward, Pew Research Center will continue to publish reports and analyses building upon our generational research. Recent publications have already begun exploring Gen Z’s perspectives on key social and political issues compared to older generations. While Gen Z’s views are still developing, these early insights offer valuable clues about their potential impact on the future political landscape.
Upcoming research will compare Millennials to previous generations at similar life stages, examining demographic, economic, and household trends to determine if Millennials continue to stand apart. Furthermore, we will expand our research into teens’ technology use, exploring the daily lives, aspirations, and challenges faced by today’s 13- to 17-year-olds as they navigate adolescence.
However, we maintain a cautious approach to projecting characteristics onto a generation still so young. Donald Trump’s presidency is a defining political reality for Gen Z as they reach adulthood. Just as the contrast between George W. Bush and Barack Obama shaped political discourse for Millennials, the current political climate may similarly influence Gen Z’s attitudes and engagement, though the specifics are yet to unfold. Indeed, the technologies, debates, and events that will truly shape Generation Z are likely still on the horizon.
We are committed to studying Generation Z as they transition into adulthood. It is crucial to remember that generations are a tool to understand societal change, not labels that oversimplify group differences.
