Cohort comparison · -18-year gap
Silent Generation was born 1928–1945 and Baby Boomers 1946–1964, a gap of -18 years between the start of each cohort. In 2026 Silent Generation is aged 81–98 and Baby Boomers is aged 62–80. The clearest difference is that Silent Generation is defined by depression and war childhoods while Baby Boomers is defined by post-war prosperity and the birth spike.
Born between 1928 and 1945 — children of the Depression and the Second World War, named by TIME magazine in 1951 for their perceived caution.
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
| Silent Generation | Baby Boomers | |
|---|---|---|
| Birth years | 1928–1945 | 1946–1964 |
| Age in 2026 | 81–98 | 62–80 |
| Cohort size | ~180m | ~1.15bn |
| Defining shift | Depression and war childhoods | Post-war prosperity and the birth spike |
| Age in 2050 | 105–122 | 86–104 |
| Cohort length | 18 years | 19 years |
| Status | Closed | Closed |
Silent Generation covers births from 1928 to 1945 and Baby Boomers from 1946 to 1964. Depression and war childhoods defines the first; Post-war prosperity and the birth spike defines the second.
In 2026, Silent Generation is 81–98 and Baby Boomers is 62–80.
Silent Generation is ~180m 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