You hear about Millennials, Generation X, and the Baby Boomers all the time, but it’s not always clear who’s a part of these groups. In fact, all of these terms are fairly unofficial social constructs outside of the Boomers—the U.S. Census [PDF] actually defines them as the generation of people born between 1946 and 1964. Now, the Pew Research Center is looking to give more structure to these generational nicknames with a new set of guidelines that establishes where each person belongs depending on their birth year. This is what they’ve come up with:
In addition to defining the birth years of Boomers and Gen-X'ers, Pew’s main focus with this research was to highlight where Millennials end and the yet-unnamed “Post-Millennial” generation begins. The new Millennial cutoff of 1996 is important because it points to a generation that is old enough to have experienced and comprehend 9/11, while also finding their way through the 2008 recession as young adults.
Those born between 1981 and 1996 will have been affected by the economic downturn in numerous ways: some would have had their early careers impacted, while others would have had their education influenced by it (perhaps through prohibitive tuition costs or a change in major to find a field with jobs). President of the Pew Research Center Michael Dimock said the recession’s effect on Millennials and the initial “slow start” to their careers “will be a factor in American society for decades.”
Technology also plays a factor in the dividing lines between generations. The study gives an example that the oldest “Post-Millennial” members would have been 10 when the iPhone was introduced, whereas many Millennials will still have memories of landlines, touch-tones, and rotary phones. As technology plays a more encompassing role in our lives, these societal developments are seen as a big enough distinction to draw generational lines through. Dimock points to Baby Boomers as a generation that saw TV become dominant, Generation X experienced a computer revolution, and Millennials grew up in an age where the internet became a new way of life.
Pew's new guidelines do alter a few others that came before. Some have put the Millennial generation from 1982-2004 (easily making it the longest generation), while others would have wanted to end it in the early '90s.
In establishing these guidelines, it also looks like the “Xennial” has been wiped from existence. This is a micro-generation that encompassed those born between 1977 and 1983—they identified themselves as people who grew up in a pre-digital world and later adapted to today’s technology. If this includes you, you’re now either a late-term Gen X’er or a grizzled veteran of the Millennial clan.
Dimock himself makes it clear that these “cutoff points aren’t an exact science.” They're simply tools to analyze the different shifts in how age groups are experiencing the world—socially, economically, politically, and technologically.
A version of this story ran in 2018; it has been updated for 2021.
Generation information about someone born in 1969. Research Maniacs tracked all generations for more than a century and found that someone born in 1969 belongs to the following generation:
Generation X
Here is more information about the Generation X and someone that is born in 1969:
Generation X are the Baby Boomers spoiled kids. Many consider Generation X as the lazy MTV generation.
They have seen it all and are cynical. They have fewer ambitions than their parents and don't mind living at home with their parents into their twenties.
Some argue that Generation X has a sense of entitlement and sees the world as me-me-me. What is in it for me?
They seem to care a lot less about the past and future compared to their parents and grandparents.
What Generation am I
Go here to lookup another generation or choose the year below:
This is Research Maniacs' interpretation of which generation someone born in 1969 belongs to and Research Maniacs' view of the Generation X. Other researchers and historians may use different years and interpretations.
What defines your generation is how your parents raised you and what society was like during the time you grew up. War, technological advances, scandals, social issues, economy and so on, all define your generation.
What generation am I if I was
born in 1970?
Go here for more Research Maniacs information about generations.
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What are the correct birth years for Gen Z, Millennials, Generation X, and Baby Boomers?
Below is a high-level overview of each generation’s birth years to help you lead generational conversations. If you’re born near the edge of a generation, you are a “Cusper.” This is actually an advantage! Scroll down and you’ll see why.
It’s always helpful to start a generational conversation with an overview of the generations—I do this in my keynotes— because it helps people gain a sense of each generation and how they fit together. Often, people are surprised by some of the generational birth years.
- Boomers: 1946–1964
- Gen X: 1965–1976
- Millennials: 1977–1995
- Gen Z: 1996–2015
Using research to explore generations, including your own, helps you to understand your worldview as well as lead, manage, market, sell, and build trust and community across generations. I hope you enjoy learning more about each generation below.
Important Note: Generations are not boxes that each of us neatly fit inside. Instead, generations are powerful clues you can use to faster connect with and influence people of different ages. This is true with people older, younger, and even your own age.Subscribe to Jason's Newsletter
You’ll get updates on Jason’s latest keynote speaking adventures across the globe. Plus, EXCLUSIVE Gen Z and Millennial research!
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Gen Z, also known as iGen,
Centennials, etc., starts with those born in approximately 1996. The oldest members of this generation are now entering their 20s. Gen Z is the fastest emerging generation of employees, consumers, and trendsetters. While the ending birth year for Gen Z is hotly debated—because the youngest members of Gen Z are still very young—we anticipate that the end of Gen Z will be somewhere around 2015. Gen Z has come of age with numerous technologies and events shaping their worldview,
including: Read Top 10 Gen Z FAQs Generation X was born between approximately 1965 to 1976. They came of age in the midst of skyrocketing divorce rates in the U.S., a new trend of both parents working, and the birth of personal computing and personal technology devices, such as the Commodore64, Atari, and Walkman. Gen X witnessed the start of MTV
(1981) and was influenced by popular high school movies, such as Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club. In addition, Gen X—particularly in the U.S.—came of age during key events, including: Gen X has proven to be excellent leaders and founded many of today’s most influential tech companies, including Google and Dell. While far too often,
Gen X is not talked about enough, they are a key component of my generational keynote presentations. I share how Gen X is actually the glue that holds everything together within many workforces, and they are at a key moment in both life-stage and leadership roles. Gen X is already taking over senior leadership roles, a trend which will only accelerate. The
descriptions above provide you a high-level introduction to the different generations. Our research at The Center for Generational Kinetics goes much deeper into the underlying drivers, decision-making processes, communication and work styles, and consumer patterns of each generation. We also look at how and why they continue to evolve over time. In terms of our keynote speaking and global research, it’s very important
to note that we recognize the same generation can be very different around the world. You can’t just pick up what is true in the U.S. and apply it in other geographies, such as Asia or Europe. We make sure that wherever I am speaking, the data and insights we present are specific to the geography and cultural norms of the people in attendance. Recognizing and exploring the impact of geography on generations is very important for driving conversation and results around the world.Generation Z Characteristics
Generation X Characteristics
Generations Around the World
Millennials, also known as Gen Y, Echo Boomers, and Digital Natives, were born from approximately 1977 to 1995. However, if you were born anywhere from 1977 to 1980 you are a Cusper, which means you can have characteristics of both Millennials and Gen X. This is an advantage because it makes you empathetic to both generations.Millennial Characteristics
Millennials came of age during a time of rapid technological emergence: mobile phones, the internet, e-mail, digital photos, and much more.
Here are a few other key influencers:
- Columbine school shooting (1999)
- Y2k (2000)
- Terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001
- Facebook’s birth and the early adoption of social media (2004)
- The Great Recession (2008)
In many countries, including the U.S., Millennials are the largest generation in the workforce and marketplace. Millennials are finally entering their wealth accumulation phase and starting families.
Read Top 10 Millennial FAQs
Baby Boomer Characteristics
Baby Boomers were born from approximately 1946 to 1964. A tidal wave of births created the appropriately named Baby Boomer generation, as they literally represent a boom in the birth rate.
This massive generation came of age in the aftermath of WWII, during a time of economic expansion that included the creation of the first suburbs. But it’s important to note that Baby Boomers do not remember WWII.
Baby Boomers also came of age during a time of massive social change. Key events that influenced Baby Boomers as they came of age include:
- Civil Rights Movement
- Cold War
- Counter-culture of the 1960s
- Vietnam War
Baby Boomers are known for their work ethic and work style, as well as the impact they’ve had on leadership in organizations. They are also the parents of Millennials!
In my keynote presentation Crossing the Generational Divide at Work, I talk about Baby Boomers and how they continue to impact industries, boards, and society. While Baby Boomers are retiring every day, the generation as a whole will continue to have tremendous influence for years and years to come.
Unlock the Power of Generations
You’ve likely seen generational differences.
So how do you lead, manage, market, sell, and influence across them? In my presentations, from keynote speeches to full-day workshops, I share a whole new way to view and engage with each generation.
I challenge the generational myths and stereotypes that divide us and share the generational data and specific solutions that bring us together. This is my passion—and why I’ve received over 1,000 standing ovations. I truly love this work.
Would you like a customized keynote, half-day, or full-day presentation that gives you a new way to engage each generation? Email Emily to request a little info or to check my availability. I’d enjoy working with you to ignite excitement, trust, and new results with each generation.
Whether your audience includes Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Baby Boomers, or all four(!), they will leave inspired with brand new insights and practical actions they can use right away.
Thank you for what you do to bridge generations!