Silent Generation

When we have the data to study groups of similarly aged people over time, we won’t always default to using the standard generational definitions and labels, like Gen Z, Millennials or Baby Boomers.

It can be useful to talk about generations, but generational categories are not scientifically defined and labels can lead to stereotypes and oversimplification.

Pew Research Center’s political typology sorts Americans into cohesive, like-minded groups based on their values, beliefs, and views about politics and the political system. Use this tool to compare the groups on some key topics and their demographics.

Majorities of Americans support an array of measures to address climate change but stop short of a full break with fossil fuels.

Even as younger generations gain representation in Congress, older generations still make up the majority of senators and representatives.

Millennials have often led older Americans in their adoption and use of technology. But there has also been significant growth in tech adoption in recent years among older generations.

Our interactive graphic compares the generations today and in the years that each generation was young (ages 18 to 33) to demonstrate this sea change in the activities and experiences of young adults that has occurred over the past 50 years.

Our analysis finds that Millennials stand apart from the young adults of the Silent generation when it comes to education, employment and home life.

The U.S. has more foreign students enrolled in its colleges and universities than any other country in the world. Explore data about foreign students in the U.S. higher education system.

Four-in-ten Millennial workers ages 25 to 29 had completed at least a bachelor’s degree in 2016, compared with 32% of Generation X workers and smaller shares of the Baby Boom and Silent generations when they were in the same age range.