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Generation Beta, often shortened toGen Beta, is the proposed name for the demographiccohort succeedingGeneration Alpha. The name was coined byfuturist anddemographer Mark McCrindle, who also coined the nameGeneration Alpha. He defines the cohort as those born from 2025 to 2039[1] and this definition has been reported by numerous sources citing McCrindle.[2][3][4][5]
McCrindle expects the generation's members to be primarily the children ofyounger millennials andGeneration Z.[1]
The proposed term "Generation Beta" comes from the Greek letterbeta, to follow Generation Alpha, named for the Greek letteralpha. Since the term "Beta" is sometimes used as an insult meaning someone who is weak or passive, some have suggested that a different name may prevail for the generation.[6][7]
Since no official body determines generational boundaries, the starting year of this generation may be subject to revision in the future. Social generations typically span approximately 15 years and are shaped by major societal shifts.[8]
Of those who have provided an explicit date range for Generation Beta, Mark McCrindle uses 2025 as the starting birth year and 2039 as the ending birth year,[1] following Generation Alpha for which McCrindle uses a date range of 2010–2024. AWorld Economic Forum article uses a birth year range of 2025–2038.[9]
However, deciding on a date range for Generation Beta is made difficult due to there being general disagreement over the ending year for the preceding generation Generation Alpha. Some sources have followed McCrindle's definition of the generations, putting the end year for Generation Alpha at 2024,[10][11][12] while others have put the end year at 2021 (with the next generation therefore beginning in 2022).[13][14] Other sources, while they have not specified a range for Generation Alpha, have specified end years for Generation Z of 2012[15][16][17] or 2013,[18] which suggests a later start date for the successive generations. For example, psychologistJean Twenge defines Generation Alpha as those born from 2013 to 2029, implying that Generation Beta starts in 2030.[19] In either case, Generation Beta includes children to be born throughout the 2030s.
Generation Beta will be impacted bydeclining birth rates, and, according to McCrindle, will likely make up around 16% of the world's population in 2035.[20] McCrindle predicts Generation Beta to reach 2.1 billion people, surpassing Generation Alpha's 2 billion.[21] McCrindle has suggested that Generation Beta will have a stronger appreciation for diversity than previous generations.[20] It is expected that many members of Generation Beta will live to see the22nd century.[22][23]
Generation Beta is expected to be one of the mostUrbanized generations in history with theWorld Economic Forum projecting that in 2040 that around 58% of the generation will live in cities. A rate higher than Gen Alpha's projected 53% and Gen Z's projected 45% at similar ages, it also projected that members of Gen Beta who grow up indeveloping countries will make a larger share of global spending compared to members indeveloped countries compared to previous generations. It also projects the population of Gen Beta to be overall smaller compared to other generations and will feature more people being bornSub-Saharan Africa, compared toAsia-Pacific regions and the rest of the world compared to previous generations.[24]
According to McCrindle, members of Generation Beta will likely not only adapt to technologies but will immerse themselves in them from the outset more than any previous generation.[25] He also stated that Generation Beta will likely follow Generation Alpha in their use of slang phrases.[25] Due to the large amount of technology that Generation Beta will grow up in, experts suggest that Generation Z parents may prefer to shield their children from constantInternet exposure.[25] McCrindle has also said that Generation Beta will be characterised by significant technological integration, and experts have predicted that Generation Beta children will grow up immersed and integrated withartificial intelligence (AI).[20][22] Some researchers theorize this integration will extend beyond functional use into the psychological realm, leading the cohort to develop what have been termed "fluid identity boundaries" with AI systems, forming deep emotional and intellectual attachments to them.[26]
According to experts, misinformation and disinformation are likely to grow during Generation Beta's time due to growing political polarization and growing indistinguishability between real andAI-generated material.[21][27] Attention spans are also expected to continue decreasing in Generation Beta children.[28]
Lance Eliot fromForbes refers to Generation Beta as "AI naturals", claiming that, "[a]s youngsters, AI will merely naturally be integral to their upbringing. [...] No need to get excited about the fact that AI is always there and at the ready."[29] He expects that Generation Beta "will be growing up during the anticipatedrapid advancement of AI, including potentially the attainment ofartificial general intelligence (AGI)".[29]
McCrindle has predicted that, due to having parents that care more about global issues, includingclimate change, Generation Beta will be more focused on these issues.[20][25]
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