1928 — 1945
Silent Generation
Born between 1928 and 1945 — children of the Depression and the Second World War, named by TIME magazine in 1951 for their perceived caution.
In one sentence
The Silent Generation is the cohort born from 1928 to 1945. About 180 million are still alive, mostly aged 80 and over.
Birth years
1928–1945
Age in 2026
81–98
Cohort size
~180m
Age in 2050
105–122
What shaped them
- The Great Depression shaped their earliest years.
- The Second World War dominated their childhood.
- They entered a rapidly expanding post-war economy as young adults.
Traits people report
- High savings rates and institutional loyalty.
- The great-grandparents of Generation Beta.
Generational traits describe averages across hundreds of millions of people. They are useful for planning, useless for judging any individual child.
Frequently asked
Why is it called the Silent Generation?
TIME magazine used the name in 1951 to describe a cohort it saw as cautious and conformist compared with the generation before.