Cohort comparison · -45-year gap
Greatest Generation was born 1901–1927 and Baby Boomers 1946–1964, a gap of -45 years between the start of each cohort. In 2026 Greatest Generation is aged 99–125 and Baby Boomers is aged 62–80. The clearest difference is that Greatest Generation is defined by depression, world war, and post-war reconstruction while Baby Boomers is defined by post-war prosperity and the birth spike.
Born between 1901 and 1927 and named by Tom Brokaw. Fewer than five million are still alive, all of them aged 99 or over.
Born between 1946 and 1964 during the post-war birth spike. Boomers hold roughly half of global wealth while making up about 14% of the population.
Side by side
| Greatest Generation | Baby Boomers | |
|---|---|---|
| Birth years | 1901–1927 | 1946–1964 |
| Age in 2026 | 99–125 | 62–80 |
| Cohort size | Under 5m | ~1.15bn |
| Defining shift | Depression, world war, and post-war reconstruction | Post-war prosperity and the birth spike |
| Age in 2050 | 123–149 | 86–104 |
| Cohort length | 27 years | 19 years |
| Status | Closed | Closed |
Greatest Generation covers births from 1901 to 1927 and Baby Boomers from 1946 to 1964. Depression, world war, and post-war reconstruction defines the first; Post-war prosperity and the birth spike defines the second.
In 2026, Greatest Generation is 99–125 and Baby Boomers is 62–80.
Greatest Generation is Under 5m and Baby Boomers is ~1.15bn.
There is no boundary between these two directly unless they are adjacent cohorts. Boundaries are conventions set by McCrindle Research, not official definitions, and other frameworks draw them a year or two apart.
Other comparisons