Bloomberg's analysis of United Nations data predicted that, in 2019, members of Generation Z accounted for 2.47 billion (32%) of the 7.7 billion inhabitants of Earth, surpassing the Millennial population of 2.43 billion.
In the U.S., there are roughly 80 million Millennials. A member of Gen Z is anyone born between 1996 and the early-mid 2000s (end date can vary depending on source). In the U.S., there are approximately 90 million members of Gen Z, or “Gen Zers.”
Millennials were the largest generation group in the U.S. in 2023, with an estimated population of 72.7 million. Born between 1981 and 1996, Millennials recently surpassed Baby Boomers as the biggest group, and they will continue to be a major part of the population for many years.
There could be a number of reasons. Gen Z nowadays appear older due to the styles and trends they are going for. Young Gen Z girls are wanting to look older at an early age, wearing makeup very early on before they even become a teenager, with makeup stores even now marketing to pre-teen girls.
Some experts have started claiming that members of Gen Z—born between 1997 and 2012—are aging faster than the rest of us. Social media and camera filters are amplifying appearance dissatisfaction in this generation, leading to increased use of prejuvenation treatments at younger ages.
According to Cigna International Health's 2023 survey of almost 12,000 workers around the world, 91% of 18-to-24-year-olds report being stressed – compared to 84% on average. Research indicates Gen Z are emerging as the most stressed demographic in the workplace, and struggling mightily to cope.
If demographics are destiny, the demographic born in 1990 and 1991 was destined to compete for housing, jobs and other resources. Those two birth years, the people set to turn 33 and 34 in 2024, make up the peak of America's population.
The average millennial has 30% less wealth at 35 than the average baby boomer did at the same age. And they only have 9.4% of the total U.S. wealth, compared with 51.8% for boomers. The coming years could be tough for younger buyers, since there aren't nearly enough properties to meet demand.
In a way, those over the age of 55 but under the age of 75—roughly speaking, the baby-boomers and some of what is referred to as “Generation X”—are the new problem generation. What makes them so reckless? For one thing, there's the attitudes to drink, drugs and sex.
Gen Z is set to become the largest and richest generation in the world over the next 10 years, according to a new report by Bank of America which found that those born between 1997 and 2012 are expected to amass over $74 trillion in income by 2040.
A growing discourse suggests that Generation Z (Gen Z) is endowed with higher cognitive abilities compared to their predecessors, the Millennials. This assertion prompts an exploration into the unique characteristics and experiences that might contribute to the perception of heightened intelligence within Gen Z.
2. The teen birth rate for Gen Z is nearly one-third that of Millennials. The birth rate of Gen Z girls (ages 15 to 19) has fallen sharply relative to previous generations.
Some consider millennials to be one of the heaviest generations. In the U.K., researchers found at least seven in 10 people born in the millennial generations will be overweight or obese before they reach middle age. Baby boomers only faced rates of five in 10.
Statistically, Gen Z tends to register as Democrats, reflecting their greater openness to left-leaning causes compared to earlier generations.
Gen Z is also entering the real estate market at a particularly challenging time, when interest rates are high, housing inventory is low, and home prices are rising. In a recent Insurify poll, 13% of Gen Zers who want to own a home believe they will never be able to afford it.
Millennials were born between 1981 and 1996 while members of the Gen Z years Gen Z years were born between 1997 and 2012. Millennials expect faster customer service. Gen Z tends to be better at accepting delayed gratification than millennials.
If you're 65, you're not too old to buy a house — provided you have the finances to make a down payment, cover your monthly mortgage payments, and keep up with expenses like maintenance and property taxes.
The term Geriatric Millennial gained popularity in 2021 to describe those born in the beginning half of the 1980s between 1980 and 1985.
A Tale of Two Millennials
Like Boomers, Millennials are a huge generation that we sometimes split into two subgroups: Early Millennials (born 1980-1987) and Recessionists (born 1988-1995). The fairly obvious element that divides these two groups is life stage.
Millennials are slowing down aging through a balanced focus on physical and mental health, and sustainable habits. In contrast, Gen Z faces accelerated aging from stress, poor diet, and sedentary lifestyles, while Boomers missed early health trends, leading to quicker aging.
To make matters worse, young adults grapple with uncertainty about their future, financial insecurities, and feelings of isolation and loneliness due to changes in dating and relationship patterns. Recent studies reveal an undeniable problem: Gen Z is the most depressed and anxious when compared with other generations.
The observed age pattern for daily stress was remarkably strong: stress was relatively high from age 20 through 50, followed by a precipitous decline through age 70 and beyond.