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Generation Alpha
There is a growing generation that few people have heard of. Within the next few years they will outnumber the Baby Boomers, and many of them will live to see the 22nd Century.
We’re talking about Generation Alpha, the children of Generation Y, and often the younger siblings of Generation Z. Simply put, Generation Alpha are defined as those born from 2010-2024. More than 2.8 million are born globally every week. When they have all been born (2025) they will number almost 2 billion – the largest generation in the history of the world.
In this article:
- Who are Generation Alpha
- The most materially endowed generation ever
- Generation Alpha’s economic footprint
- Why are they called Generation Alpha?
Who are Generation Alpha?
While they are the youngest generation, they have brand influence and purchasing power beyond their years. They shape the social media landscape, are the popular culture influencers, the emerging consumers and by the end of the 2020’s will be moving into adulthood, the workforce and household formation, ready or not.
The most materially endowed generation ever
Gen Alpha are the most materially endowed generation ever, the most technologically savvy generation ever and they will enjoy a longer life span than any previous generation.
They will stay in education longer, start their earning years later and stay at home with their parents later than even their predecessors, Gen Z and Gen Y. The role of parents therefore will span a longer age range – with many of these Gen Alphas likely to be still living at home into their late 20’s.
The great screen-age
This newest generation are part of an unintentional global experiment where screens are placed in front of them from the youngest age as pacifiers, entertainers and educational aids. This great screen age in which we are all living has bigger impacts on the generation exposed to such screen saturation during their formative years.
From shorter attention spans to the gamification of education, from increased digital literacy to impaired social formation, these times impact us all but transform those in their formative years. Generation Alpha began being born in 2010, the year the iPad was launched, Instagram was created, and App was the word of the year- and so from their earliest years, they have been screenagers.
How will Generation Alpha learn?
With the increase in screen and technology, there’s no doubt that Generation Alpha will feel this influence in their schooling.
For many, their childhood likely involved doing things that were new experiences, like taking piano lessons, playing sports with friends or reading books. These experiences helped shape them because they were engaging and gave opportunities to learn.
While this is likely to happen still, the way Gen Alpha learn involves technology and has become more advanced and accessible through devices such as smartphones and tablets. This is already a trend among their forerunners, Gen Z, with TikTok (42%) the third most engaged with platform by students to teach themselves new skills, coming in above parents (39%).
More people than ever, especially the emerging generations have access to information about anything with the rise of the internet.
Generation Alpha's economic footprint
By 2029, when the oldest Generation Alphas enter into adulthood and the youngest Generation Alphas reach the age of five, their economic footprint will reach more than US$5.46 trillion. This means that organisations today should be thinking about the future consumer in Generation Alpha.
More on Generation Alpha
- Everything you need to know about Generation Alpha
- Generation Alpha’s economic footprint
- Why every organisation should be thinking about Generation Alpha
Why did we name them Generation Alpha?
Just over a decade ago, when I was researching my first book The ABC of XYZ: Understanding the Global Generations, it became apparent that a new generation was about to commence and there was no name for them.
This was just after the Atlantic hurricane season of 2005, when there were so many storms that the normal alphabetic names had been used up and so for the first time, the Greek alphabet was used.
In keeping with this scientific nomenclature of using the Greek alphabet in lieu of the Latin, and having worked our way through Generations X, Y and Z, I settled on the next cohort being Generation Alpha- not a return to the old, but the start of something new.
Generational definitions are most useful when they span a set age range and so allow meaningful comparisons across generations. That is why the generations today each span 15 years with Generation Y (Millennials) born from 1980 to 1994; Generation Z from 1995 to 2009 and Generation Alpha from 2010 to 2024. And so it follows that Generation Beta will be born from 2025 to 2039.
If the nomenclature sticks, then we will afterwards have Generation Gamma and Generation Delta, but we won’t be getting there until the second half of the 21st Century so there is plenty of time to reflect on the labels!
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Generation Alpha Infographic
From explaining the defining traits of each generation to shining a light on the emerging Generation Alphas, this infographic provides a fascinating overview of the generations.
Download now
Generation Alpha
Generation Alpha
Generation Alpha
As an expert in generational studies, I bring a wealth of knowledge about the various demographic cohorts that have shaped our societies over the years. My expertise extends beyond mere observations, as I have actively researched and written about these generational shifts. I've delved into the nuances of each generation, from Baby Boomers to Generation Z, and now, I stand prepared to shed light on a phenomenon that is shaping the future – Generation Alpha.
Generation Alpha, born between 2010 and 2024, represents a paradigm shift in demographics. With over 2.8 million born globally every week, they are poised to become the largest generation in history, outnumbering even the Baby Boomers. The evidence supporting this claim lies in the sheer numbers – projections estimate that by 2025, Generation Alpha will reach almost 2 billion individuals.
What sets Generation Alpha apart is not just their size but also their unprecedented material endowment and technological savvy. They are growing up in what can be described as the "great screen age," a global experiment where screens are integral to their daily lives from the youngest age. The evidence for this lies in the fact that they were born in the same year the iPad was launched, Instagram was created, and "App" became the word of the year.
This generation's impact is not limited to social and cultural spheres; it extends to economic realms. By 2029, when the oldest members enter adulthood and the youngest turn five, Generation Alpha's economic footprint is projected to exceed US$5.46 trillion. Organizations are urged to consider this future consumer base and adapt their strategies accordingly.
As for their educational landscape, Generation Alpha's learning experiences are shaped by technology. With smartphones and tablets as integral tools, the way they acquire knowledge is distinctly different from previous generations. This shift is evident in the fact that platforms like TikTok, with its interactive and engaging content, have become significant tools for self-education.
The nomenclature "Generation Alpha" was not chosen arbitrarily. It emerged as a logical progression in the sequence of generational names, following X, Y, and Z. The decision was influenced by the exhaustion of alphabetic names during the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season, leading to the use of the Greek alphabet. Generation Alpha, therefore, signifies not a return to the old but the beginning of something new, and it spans from 2010 to 2024.
As we delve into the intricacies of Generation Alpha, it becomes clear that this generation is not only defining its time but also shaping the trajectory of the 21st century. Their influence extends across social, cultural, economic, and educational domains, making them a focal point for businesses, educators, and researchers alike.
