Welcome Gen Beta

The year 2025 marks the beginning of a new generation, in Generation Beta. Simply put, Generation Beta is defined as those born between 2025 and 2039.

• Generation Beta will be born from 2025 to 2039
• By 2035 they will make up 16% of the global population
• They will be the children of younger Gen Ys (millennials) and older Gen Zs
• Many will live to see the 22nd century

Why we named them Gen Beta

Generation Beta follows Generation Alpha (born 2010-2024).

We named them Alpha and Beta to signify not just new generations, but the first generations that will be shaped by an entirely different world.

That is why we moved to the Greek alphabet, to signify how these different generations will be raised in a new world of technological integration.

We know that generational transitions are more than just chronological—they are defined by the events, technologies, and cultural shifts of their time. Generation Beta represents a pivotal chapter in our evolving world.

But who will Generation Beta be and what factors will shape their values, behaviours, and aspirations?

Shaped by a tech-saturated world

For Generation Beta, the digital and physical worlds will be seamless.

While Generation Alpha has experienced the rise of smart technology and artificial intelligence, Generation Beta will live in an era where AI and automation are fully embedded in everyday life—from education and workplaces to healthcare and entertainment.

They will likely be the first generation to experience autonomous transportation at scale, wearable health technologies, and immersive virtual environments as standard aspects of daily life.

Their formative years will be marked by a greater emphasis on personalisation—AI algorithms will tailor their learning, shopping, and social interactions in ways we can only begin to imagine today.

It is also worth noting that technology plays a dual role in modern-day parenting.

On one hand, we have seen parents, notably Millennial parents, leverage technology as a tool for education, connection, and entertainment, integrating it seamlessly into their children’s lives from a young age.

On the other hand, there is also a cautious awareness of the potential pitfalls of technology, prompting parents to balance screen time with outdoor activities and interpersonal interactions.

While many Millennial parents use social media to document their children’s lives, Generation Z knows more about both the positives and challenges that come with social media use from a young age.

Gen Z parents are more likely to strongly agree that limiting their child’s screen time is a high priority for them (36% Gen Z parents compared to 30% older Millennial parents).

As the most technologically savvy generation of parents, Gen Z sees the benefits of technology and screen time, but equally, they see the downsides of it and are pushing back on technology and the age at which their children access and engage with it.

Naming and labelling generations

Just as categorising generations comes from the domain of social science rather than popular culture, so naming them is best done scientifically, using letters (such as X, Y, Z, and Alpha).

Other approaches to naming generations, using terms such as “millennials,” often define a generation around a single event and have vague birth ranges, leading to subjective analysis.

A sociological approach to generational analysis, using set birth years and non-descriptive labels, allows for more objective analysis and individual identity creation.

This trend is set to continue with upcoming generations like Generation Alpha (b. 2010-2024), Generation Beta (b. 2025-2039), Generation Gamma (b. 2040-2054), Generation Delta (b. 2055- 2069), and so on.

This standardized 15-year time span will enable future analysts to conduct more comprehensive analysis and global comparisons.

About Mark McCrindle Mark McCrindle is principal of McCrindle and a social researcher, a demographer, futurist and social researcher with an international following. His passions lie in tracking emerging issues and researching social trends analysing customer segments. Find out more about McCrindle