Gen Beta: Shaped by Tech, Sustainability, and Global Citizenship
I feel like we just met Generation Alpha, but Mark McCrindle, the demographer who introduced us to the Alphas (who he defines as being born between 2010-2024), says this year’s babies are the first members of Gen Beta.
McCrindle says Generation Beta will include babies born from 2025 to 2039—and that by then, they’ll be 16% of the world population.
On the McCrindle blog, the company explains that they “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.”
McCrindle adds, “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.”
Generation Alpha, the company explains, “experienced the rise of smart technology and artificial intelligence.” But for the Betas, “The digital and physical worlds will be seamless. They’ll live in an era where AI and automation are fully embedded in everyday life—from education and workplaces to healthcare and entertainment.”
McCrindle predicts Gen Beta 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 personalization—AI algorithms will tailor their learning, shopping, and social interactions in ways we can only begin to imagine today.”
Gen Beta’s parents are millennials and Gen Zers, who, according to McCrindle, “prioritize adaptability, equality, and eco-consciousness in their parenting.
Interestingly, there are no hard definitions of any of the generations except the baby boomers. McCrindle, an Australian, believes that it’s best to name generations by letters. (English or Greek), since “using terms [like] ‘millennials,’ often define a generation around a single event and have vague birth ranges, leading to subjective analysis.
He believes generations should be defined by set birth years and non-descriptive labels. And he’s already named future generations using the Greek alphabet, including Generation Gamma (2040-2054), Generation Delta (2055- 2069), and so on.
According to McCrindle, “Generation Beta represents the dawn of a new era. They will grow up in a world shaped by breakthroughs in technology, evolving social norms, and an increasing focus on sustainability and global citizenship. Understanding their needs, values, and preferences will be critical as we anticipate how they will shape the future of society.”
Rieva Lesonsky is President of Small Business Currents, LLC, a content company focusing on small businesses and entrepreneurship. While you can still find her on Twitter @Rieva, you can also reach her @Rieva.bsky.social and LinkedIn. Or email her at Rieva@SmallBusinessCurrents.com.
Newborn picture by Inara Prusakova/Shutterstock
