FROM ALPHA TO BETA: The Mysterious Generations of the Future

Photo by Malin K. on Unsplash

Australian demographer and futurist Mark McCrindle continues to intrigue the global community. He was the one who coined the term «Generation Alpha», emphasizing the emergence of children who have never known a world without digital technologies.

According to McCrindle, the upcoming year marks the beginning of a new era — the era of Generation Beta (2025–2039). Whether or not McCrindle’s concept fully reflects reality is less important than the fact that it is already shaping our perception of the world and our expectations for the future. So, who are these mysterious Betas?

HISTORY ACCELERATES

t is worth noting that the theory of generations did not emerge out of nowhere. Judging by the rapid advancement of new technologies and computational power, historical time itself seems to be accelerating.

On this basis, futurists predict that in the coming decade, we will witness as many changes as once took place over the course of a thousand years. It would be surprising if this did not influence contemporary ideas about generational dynamics.

The first sociological metaphor for these processes was introduced in the 1990s by Americans Neil Howe and William Strauss. They proposed a cyclical theory of generations, which share similar traits shaped by new socio-economic conditions.

One generation spans approximately 20 years, while a generational cycle lasts about 80. People living at the end of a cycle partially share values with those at its beginning — and then the cycle begins anew.

FROM THE GREATEST GENERATION TO ALPHA

Howe and Strauss’s idea proved highly fruitful — after all, every generation within the cycle needs some way to identify itself! The metaphorical sequence began with The Greatest Generation (1901–1927).

Next came the Silent Generation, shaped by the Great Depression and World War II. Then, the post-war Baby Boomers emerged, including figures like Donald Trump, born in 1946 and later elected as U.S. president.

Based on the theory of generational cycles, you could even attempt to predict the values and future policies of a new American administration and see how accurate your forecast turns out.

Following the Baby Boomers came Generations X, Y, and Z, until the arrival of the ultra-modern Generation Alpha, born from 2010 to the present.

By 2025, Generation Alpha will number 2 billion people, meaning approximately one in four inhabitants of the planet will belong to this group.

MILLENNIALS: THE MOST AFFLUENT PARENTS

As with previous generations, the values and worldview of Generation Alpha have been shaped by shared historical, cultural, and technological events. In a sense, they were fortunate to have millennial parents: studies show that millennials have become the largest and most economically affluent generation in history.

Like every other generation, Alpha has experienced an awakening, a rise, a crisis, and a decline — the latter being the phase we are presumably witnessing now. However, Alpha has also proven to be the fastest-moving generation, overtaking Generation Z in just one decade.

It is worth noting that the gap between generations has been steadily shrinking. While Baby Boomers and Generation X spanned 20 years each, Generation Y lasted only 16 years, and Alpha just 10. This acceleration of historical time appears to manifest itself in generational dynamics as well.

Still, McCrindle suggests «standardizing» the lifespan of future generations — Beta, Gamma, and Delta — allotting 15 years to each.

GENERATION BETA IN A «SEAMLESS» WORLD

According to McCrindle, 2025 will mark the beginning of the next era — the era of Beta generation children. The world shaping them will be one of digital technologies, innovations, and environmental challenges. It is expected that they will not only live long, potentially stepping into the 22nd century but also live consciously. This consciousness will have a technological dimension, as they will be raised in a world of unprecedented technological integration.

While Generation Alpha witnessed the rise of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, Generation Beta will live in an era where AI and automation are fully embedded in everyday life.

Beta will grow up in a world shaped by technological breakthroughs, evolving social norms, and an increasing focus on sustainability and global citizenship. For them, the digital and physical worlds will be «seamless», with the distinction between the two virtually imperceptible.

This generation is likely to be the first to have routine access to large-scale autonomous transportation, wearable medical technologies, and immersive virtual environments. AI algorithms will tailor their learning, shopping, and social interactions in ways we are only beginning to imagine today.

THE YEARNING FOR SUSTAINABILITY AND DIGITAL IDENTITY

Generation Beta will inherit a highly unstable, «shifting» world marked by significant social, climate, and migration challenges. Urbanization will continue to accelerate, and the longing for sustainability will become a constant.

This generation will be raised by millennial parents and older Generation Z siblings, who will strive to instill their values, prioritizing adaptability, equality, and ecological consciousness.

The nature of social connections will also evolve, becoming more focused on friendship, education, and career. Caring for one’s digital identity will become a priority. A unique symbiosis will emerge between hyperconnectivity and self-expression, blending personal relationships with global digital communities.

Experts predict that by 2035, this new generation will make up 16% of the global population.

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