Generation Beta, the newest generational cohort, is set to include those born between 2025 and 2039. This group, projected to reach 2.1 billion people, will be the second-largest generation after Generation Alpha, which encompasses those born from 2010 to 2024, according to social researcher Mark McCrindle.
Unlike previous generations, Generation Beta will grow up in a world marked by rapid technological evolution and escalating climate crises. Many members of this cohort are expected to live well into the 22nd century, facing unprecedented challenges and opportunities shaped by artificial intelligence and environmental sustainability.
The technological landscape that defines each generation plays a significant role in shaping their identities. For Generation Beta, generative AI could be a defining factor, with the potential for widespread adoption of AI-powered relationships and tools to impact social development profoundly. Jean Twenge, author of Generations, notes that technological advances, such as social media for Gen Z or virtual platforms like Minecraft for Gen Alpha, significantly shape generational experiences.
Economic and environmental concerns are expected to influence Generation Beta’s upbringing, primarily under Gen Z and younger millennial parents. These parents, shaped by economic volatility, are likely to emphasize resilience, sustainability, and prudent resource management in raising their children.
As the world grapples with issues such as misinformation, AI regulation, and climate change, Generation Beta will inherit a complex global landscape. Falling fertility rates and increasing life expectancy may also shift discussions from overpopulation to population sustainability during their lifetime.
With governance, media, and global dynamics undergoing significant transformation, Generation Beta’s experience will be molded by the unpredictable and transformative changes of the 21st century.
