Full History Of Millennials In Timeline From 1946

1946: Army General Classification Test Analysis

In 1946, average test scores from the Army General Classification Test were analyzed by educational psychologist Jonathan Wai in 2015, revealing patterns in major selections based on test scores.

1946: Baby Boomer Generation Start Date

In 1946, the Baby Boomer generation began, spanning from 1946 to 1964.

1949: Start of Mao Zedong's Rule

In 1949, Mao Zedong began his rule in China, a period during which he was responsible for the deaths of 20–45 million people, yet a YouGov survey found that 42% of American millennials have never heard of him.

1950: Demographic Transition in Western Europe

Around 1950, most of Western Europe completed its transition from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates.

1950: Global average fertility rate

In 1950, the global average fertility rate was 4.7.

1952: Selective Service College Qualification Test Analysis

In 1952, average test scores from the Selective Service College Qualification Test were analyzed by educational psychologist Jonathan Wai in 2015, revealing patterns in major selections based on test scores.

1953: Vocabulary gap between adults and children was smaller

Back in 1953, intelligence researcher James R. Flynn discovered that the vocabulary gap between adults and children was much smaller than in the early twenty-first century.

1955: Start of study on popular music trends

From 1955 to 2010, Joan Serrà and his team studied the Million Song Dataset and found that popular music has gotten louder, while the chords, melodies, and types of sounds used have become increasingly homogenized.

1960: Shift Towards Individualism

By the 1960s, people began moving from traditional values towards more individualistic outlooks due to higher education access and lifestyle values.

1964: Baby Boomer Generation End Date

In 1964, the Baby Boomer generation ended, beginning in 1946.

1965: Generation X Start Date

In 1965, the Generation X began, with an average of 3.4 million babies born each year between 1965 and 1980.

1965: Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965

In 1965, the Immigration and Nationality Act (Hart-Celler Act) was passed, abolishing national quotas for immigrants and replacing it with a system based on skills and need for refuge.

1968: Rarity of Unmarried Mothers

In 1968, the number of American mothers who had never married was extremely rare, marking a historical point of comparison in understanding the evolution of family structures.

1971: U.S. Fertility Rates Fall Below Replacement Level

Since 1971, U.S. fertility rates have fallen below the replacement level of 2.1.

1974: Start of the birth year range initially associated with Generation Y

In 1974, this was the start of the birth year range initially associated with Generation Y, according to an Advertising Age editorial in 1993.

1976: End of Mao Zedong's Rule

Mao Zedong's rule in China ended in 1976, after being responsible for the deaths of 20–45 million people, yet a YouGov survey found that 42% of American millennials have never heard of him.

1979: Introduction of the One-Child Policy in China

In 1979, China introduced the one-child policy, which curbed the number of young people and contributed to a gender imbalance due to the preference for sons. This policy has long-term demographic effects.

1980: Millennials Born

A working paper analyzed data from the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Household Transportation Survey, the U.S. Census Bureau, and American Community Survey in order to compare the driving habits of the Baby Boomers, Generation X, and the oldest millennials (born between 1980 and 1984).

1980: Start date for IQ test analysis of British teenagers

From 1980 to 2008, Flynn analyzed the results of the Raven's Progressive Matrices test for British fourteen-year-olds. The average IQ dropped during that time.

1980: Alternative Start Year for Millennials

In 1980, CNN reports that some studies define millennials as born between 1980 and 2000.

1980: Start year for Millennials per Ipsos MORI and others

In 1980, Ipsos MORI, the UK Department of Health and Social Care, psychologist Jean Twenge, and McCrindle Research use this year to define the start of the Millennial generation.

1980: Low fertility in Sweden

In 1980, Sweden had low fertility, with the TFR at 1.68. By 1990, it increased to 2.14 due to economic improvement and family benefits.

1980: Vietnam's Fertility Rate Decline

In 1980, Vietnam's fertility rate was 5, which began to decline in later years.

1980: Generation X End Date

In 1980, the Generation X ended, beginning in 1965.

1980: End of the birth year range initially associated with Generation Y

In 1980, this was the end of the birth year range initially associated with Generation Y, according to an Advertising Age editorial in 1993.

1980: Start of the "Geriatric Millennial" range

In 1980, this year is mentioned as the start of the birth year range for those described as "Geriatric Millennials".

1980: Wealth and Income Premiums for Pre-1980 Graduates

In 2019, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis published research demonstrating that after controlling for race and age cohort families with heads of household with post-secondary education who were born before 1980 there have been wealth and income premiums.

1981: Changing Views on Women and Motherhood

In 1981, a survey across the industrialized world found that only 35% of people aged 15 to 24 believed women needed children to be fulfilled, compared to over half of those aged 65 and over.

1981: Starting birth year of Millennials

In 1981, researchers and popular media began using this year as the starting birth year for Millennials, also known as Generation Y or Gen Y.

1981: Start year for Millennials per Australian Bureau of Statistics

In 1981, the Australian Bureau of Statistics uses this year to define the start of the Millennial generation in a 2021 Census report.

1981: Millennial Generation Start Date

In 1981, the Millennial generation began, with an average of 3.9 million babies born each year between 1981 and 1996.

1981: Pew Research Center defines the start year for Millennials

In 1981, the Pew Research Center defines this year as the start year for Millennials, based on key political, economic, and social factors.

1981: Start year for Millennials per Population Reference Bureau

In 1981, the Population Reference Bureau defines this year as the start of the Millennial generation in a 2023 report.

1982: Ad Age identifies 1982 as new start year for Gen Y

In 1982, Ad Age identified 1982 as the new start year for Generation Y.

1982: Children Born in 1982 Entering Kindergarten

In 1982, children born in this year were entering kindergarten, leading to the coining of the term "Millennials" to link them to the upcoming new millennium.

1982: Start year for Millennials per U.S. Government Accountability Office

In 1982, the U.S. Government Accountability Office defines this year as the start of the Millennial generation.

1982: Birth year defining Net Generation college students

Net Generation college students are defined as those born 1982 onwards.

1982: Millennial Generation Start

The Millennial generation is considered by some sources to have started being born around 1982. In 2014, Neil Howe, using dates ranging from 1982 to 2004, estimated there were over 95 million millennials in the U.S.

1984: Millennials Born

A working paper analyzed data from the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Household Transportation Survey, the U.S. Census Bureau, and American Community Survey in order to compare the driving habits of the Baby Boomers, Generation X, and the oldest millennials (born between 1980 and 1984).

1985: Increase in Divorce and Out-of-Wedlock Births

Between 1960 and 1985, member states of the European Economic Community saw a steady increase in divorce and out-of-wedlock births, along with falling fertility rates.

1985: End of the "Geriatric Millennial" range

In 1985, this year is mentioned as the end of the birth year range for those described as "Geriatric Millennials".

1986: University Attendance Rate in 1986

For comparison, the number of young people attending university was 44% in 1986.

1987: Coining of the term "Millennials"

In 1987, authors William Strauss and Neil Howe coined the term "Millennials" as children born in 1982 were entering kindergarten and being linked to the new millennium.

1988: Older millennials' birth year

Older millennials are defined as those born 1988 and earlier, who came of age prior to widespread usage and availability of smartphones.

1989: Youth Population Decline in Vietnam

In 1989, almost 40% of the Vietnamese population was 15 years of age or younger, a decline was seen in later years.

1989: Introduction of University Tuition Fees in Australia

In 1989, university tuition fees were introduced in Australia. Regardless, the number of applicants has risen considerably.

1989: Younger millennials' birth year

Younger millennials are defined as those born 1989 and later, who were exposed to smartphones in their teen years.

August 1990: Peak of Echo Boom birth rates in the US

In August 1990, the echo boom's birth rates peaked in the United States.

1990: Sweden's Fertility Rate Reaches Replacement Level

In 1990, Sweden's total fertility rate reached 2.14, up from 1.68 in 1980, due to economic improvement and family benefits.

1990: Vietnam's Fertility Rate Declines to 3.55

In 1990, Vietnam's fertility rate dropped to 3.55, continuing a downward trend.

1990: Divorce rate decrease among younger married Americans

In 1990, among Americans aged 25 to 39, the divorce rate was 30 per 1,000 married persons.

1991: Publication of "Generations: The History of America's Future, 1584 to 2069"

In 1991, William Strauss and Neil Howe published "Generations: The History of America's Future, 1584 to 2069", discussing generational theory.

1991: Foreign-Born Residents in the United Kingdom

In 1991, foreign-born residents in the United Kingdom stood at 6% of the population.

1992: Population Drop in Russia

Between 1992 and 2002, Russia's population dropped from 149 million to 144 million.

1992: Survey of Wharton Graduates on Family Planning

In 1992, a survey of Wharton graduating class revealed that 78% of women planned to eventually have children. This shows how important having children was at the time.

August 1993: Advertising Age coins "Generation Y"

In August 1993, an Advertising Age editorial coined the phrase "Generation Y" to describe teenagers aged 13–19 (born 1974–1980).

1994: End year for Millennials per Jean Twenge and McCrindle Research

In 1994, Psychologist Jean Twenge and Australia's McCrindle Research use this year as the end year for the Millennial generation.

1995: End year for Millennials per Australian Bureau of Statistics

In 1995, the Australian Bureau of Statistics uses this year to define the end of the Millennial generation in a 2021 Census report.

1995: Increase in Tuition and Aid in Several Countries

In the 2008–09 academic year, Australia, Austria, Japan, the Netherlands, and New Zealand saw an increase in both the average tuition fees of their public universities for full-time domestic students and the percentage of students taking advantage of state-sponsored student aid compared to 1995.

1996: Study on work ethic across generations

In 1996, a study began to determine if differences existed in work ethic between generations, using the Multidimensional Work Ethic Profile (MWEP) to survey participants over a 12-year period.

1996: Ending birth year of Millennials

In 1996, researchers and popular media ended the birth year range for Millennials, also known as Generation Y or Gen Y.

1996: Millennial Generation End Date

In 1996, the Millennial generation ended, with an average of 3.9 million babies born each year between 1981 and 1996.

1996: Pew Research Center defines the end year for Millennials

In 1996, the Pew Research Center defines this year as the end year for Millennials, based on key political, economic, and social factors.

1998: Introduction of Tuition Fees in British Universities

In autumn 1998, a nominal tuition fee of £1,000 was introduced in British universities.

1999: Goal of Half of Young Britons with University Degrees

In 1999, Prime Minister Tony Blair introduced the goal of having half of young Britons having a university degree, though the 2010 deadline was missed.

1999: End year for Millennials per Population Reference Bureau

In 1999, the Population Reference Bureau defines this year as the end of the Millennial generation in a 2023 report.

2000: Rise in Foreign-Born Voters

By the 2020 election, 10% of American voters were born outside the country, up from 6% in 2000.

2000: Concentration of Economic Activities

From 2000 to 2020, before the COVID pandemic, economic activities tended to concentrate in the large metropolitan areas.

2000: Baseline for Young Adults Living with Parents

In 2000, 23% of young adults aged 18–34 were living with parents. At this time, 43% of those aged 18–34 were married or living with a partner. This highlights that living with parents has become more normalized and less influenced by economic factors.

2000: Alternative End Year for Millennials

In 2000, CNN reports that some studies define millennials as born between 1980 and 2000.

2000: Publication of "Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation"

In 2000, William Strauss and Neil Howe published "Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation", further elaborating on the characteristics of the Millennial generation.

2000: Baseline for Sexual Inactivity Study

In 2000, the baseline for sexual inactivity among men aged 18-24 was recorded, providing initial data for a study on changes in sexual activity.

2000: Millennial Generation End

The United States Census Bureau, using birth dates ranging from 1982 to 2000, stated the estimated number of U.S. millennials in 2015 was 83.1 million people.

2001: Coining of the term "digital native"

In 2001, Marc Prensky coined the term "digital native" to describe "K through college" students.

2001: End year for 'New Boomers' per Elwood Carlson

In 2001, Sociologist Elwood Carlson identified this year as the end of the 'New Boomers' generation, based on the upswing in births and political and social challenges after 9/11.

2002: Millennial University Attendance

According to the Pew Research Center, 53% of American millennials attended or were enrolled in university in 2002.

2002: Graduate Record Examination Analysis

Between 2002 and 2005, average test scores from the Graduate Record Examination were analyzed by educational psychologist Jonathan Wai in 2015, revealing patterns in major selections based on test scores.

2002: Data Point for Sexual Inactivity Study

In 2002, Data on sexual inactivity among men aged 18-24 was recorded to be compared to later years in a study on changes in sexual activity.

2002: Population Drop in Russia

In 2002, Russia's population was 144 million, down from 149 million in 1992.

2003: STEM dropout rates

Between 2003 and 2009, 48% of students majoring in STEM dropped out of their programs, according to The Atlantic.

2003: Ad Age shifts Generation Y starting year to 1982

By 2003, Ad Age had moved their Generation Y starting year up to 1982.

2003: Invasion of Iraq - a key factor in defining Millennials

In 2003, the invasion of Iraq is cited by the Pew Research Center as one of the key political, economic, and social factors shaping the Millennial generation.

2004: Millennial Generation End

The Millennial generation is considered by some sources to have stopped being born around 2004. In 2014, Neil Howe, using dates ranging from 1982 to 2004, estimated there were over 95 million millennials in the U.S.

2005: Graduate Record Examination Analysis

Between 2002 and 2005, average test scores from the Graduate Record Examination were analyzed by educational psychologist Jonathan Wai in 2015, revealing patterns in major selections based on test scores.

2005: Study on Religious Practices of Young Americans

In 2005, a study of 1,385 Americans aged 18 to 25 revealed that over half prayed regularly before meals, while one-third engaged in religious discussions, attended services, and read religious material weekly. Twenty-three percent did not identify as religious practitioners.

2005: End year for Millennials per Neil Howe

In 2005, author Neil Howe defines this year as a possible end year for the Millennial generation.

2005: German University Fees Ban Overturned

In 2005, judges in Karlsruhe, Germany, struck down a ban on university fees as unconstitutional.

2006: Adult gains on vocabulary subtest

Between 1953 and 2006, adult gains on the vocabulary subtest of the Wechsler IQ test were 17.4 points, whereas the corresponding gains for children were only 4, according to intelligence researcher James R. Flynn.

2006: Increase in Overdose Deaths Among Millennials

From 2006 to 2015, overdose deaths among millennials increased by 108%, significantly affecting this generation.

2006: Publication of "Generation Me: Why Today's Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled – and More Miserable Than Ever Before"

In 2006, Psychologist Jean Twenge described millennials as "Generation Me" in her book "Generation Me: Why Today's Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled – and More Miserable Than Ever Before".

2006: Publication of "Generation Me"

In 2006, psychologist Jean Twenge published "Generation Me", characterizing millennials as confident, tolerant, but also entitled and narcissistic.

2007: Research on personality profiles of millennials

In their 2007 book Connecting to the Net.Generation: What Higher Education Professionals Need to Know About Today's Students, authors Reynol Junco and Jeanna Mastrodicasa expanded on the work of William Strauss and Neil Howe to include research-based information about the personality profiles of millennials, especially as it relates to higher education.

2007: The Great Recession

The Great Recession began in 2007 and had a negative impact on Italy's economy.

2007: Financial crisis affecting younger millennials

The financial crisis of 2007-2008 led younger millennials to be "more practical" and "more attracted to industries with steady work and are more likely to say they are willing to work overtime".

2007: Increase in volunteering among millennials

Volunteer activity between 2007 and 2008 showed the millennial age group experienced almost three-times the increase of the overall population.

2008: Increase in Unmarried Mothers

By 2008, the number of American mothers who had never married had become much more common, especially among the less educated, with significant disparities based on educational attainment. This marks a shift in demographic trends.

2008: End date for IQ test analysis of British teenagers

From 1980 to 2008, Flynn analyzed the results of the Raven's Progressive Matrices test for British fourteen-year-olds. The average IQ dropped during that time.

2008: Start of Decline in English Majors

From 2008, data revealed a decline in the number of people majoring in English, philosophy, religion and foreign languages.

2008: Millennials dubbed as "Trophy Kids"

In 2008, author Ron Alsop called the millennials "Trophy Kids", a term that reflects a trend in competitive sports, as well as many other aspects of life, where mere participation is frequently enough for a reward.

2008: Results of work ethic study

In 2008, the results of a study looking at work ethic across generations suggests the main difference in work ethic sentiments arose between Generation X and millennials.

2008: Swedish Students Utilizing State Aid

In the 2008–09 academic year, virtually all Swedish students took advantage of state-sponsored financial aid packages from the Centrala Studiestödsnämnden (CSN).

2008: Increase in volunteering among millennials

Volunteer activity between 2007 and 2008 showed the millennial age group experienced almost three-times the increase of the overall population.

2009: STEM dropout rates

Between 2003 and 2009, 48% of students majoring in STEM dropped out of their programs, according to The Atlantic.

2009: Flynn's analysis of IQ scores of British teenagers

In 2009, Flynn analyzed the results of the Raven's Progressive Matrices test for British fourteen-year-olds from 1980 to 2008 and discovered that their average IQ had dropped by more than two points.

2010: End of study on popular music trends

From 1955 to 2010, Joan Serrà and his team studied the Million Song Dataset and found that popular music has gotten louder, while the chords, melodies, and types of sounds used have become increasingly homogenized.

2010: Goal of Half of Young Britons with University Degrees Missed

In 1999, Prime Minister Tony Blair introduced the goal of having half of young Britons having a university degree, though the 2010 deadline was missed.

2010: Fertility Rates in France and Sweden

In 2010, France and Sweden had higher fertility rates than most of Europe, almost reaching replacement level with 2.03 and 1.98 respectively.

2010: Pew Research Center Study on Millennial Religious Identity

In 2010, a Pew Research Center study on millennials showed that only 3% of adults aged 18-29 identified as 'atheists' and 4% as 'agnostics.' While 68% identified as 'Christians,' 25% were 'Nones,' and 75% were religiously affiliated. This sheds light on the religious affiliations of millennials.

2010: Social media withdrawal symptoms

In 2010, research published in the Elon Journal of Undergraduate Research claimed that students who used social media and decided to quit showed the same withdrawal symptoms of a drug addict who quit their stimulant.

2010: Millennials driving shift to public service

In 2010, research published in the Journal of Business and Psychology stated that heightened participation in the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps was a result of millennials.

2010: Millennials' workplace expectations

In 2010, the Journal of Business and Psychology found that millennials "expect close relationships and frequent feedback from supervisors" to be a main point of differentiation.

2010: Singapore's low birth rate

Singapore's birth rate was low in 2010, and one of the lowest in the world. In 2018, the birth rate reached 1.14, the lowest since 2010, despite government incentives like the baby bonus.

2011: UCLA data on STEM student attrition

In 2011, Data collected by UCLA showed that 60% of science and engineering students, including pre-medical students, changed their majors or failed to graduate, twice the attrition rate of all other majors combined.

2011: Analysis of Sociosexual Tendencies and Religiosity

In 2011, social psychologists Weeden, Cohen, and Kenrick analyzed survey data and found that sociosexual tendencies play a significant role in determining religiousness, potentially outweighing factors like age and moral beliefs on sexuality.

2011: OECD Public Support for Higher Education

In 2011, there was information on public support for higher education for domestic students in the OECD.

2011: Millennials prefer working for companies engaged in the betterment of society

Universum's 2011 survey depicts a preference to work for companies engaged in the betterment of society.

2012: Ad Age concedes Millennials is a better name than Gen Y

In 2012, Ad Age conceded that "Millennials" is a better name than "Gen Y".

2012: Pew Research Study on Irreligion in the U.S.

In 2012, a Pew Research study indicated that 32% of Americans aged 18-29 were irreligious, marking a significant trend compared to older generations in the U.S. This suggests a growing detachment from religious affiliations among younger adults.

2012: Estimated Number of U.S. Millennials

In 2012, a Time magazine article estimated there were approximately 80 million U.S. millennials.

2012: Follow-up Survey on Family Planning for Wharton Graduates

In 2012, a follow-up survey of Wharton graduating class revealed that 42% of women planned to eventually have children. This represents a shift in views on family planning.

2012: Decline in Humanities Graduates

In 2012, the number of graduates in the humanities was 234,737, marking the beginning of a decline as students turned away from liberal arts programs.

2012: Introduction of Higher Student Fees in the UK

In 2012, £9,000 worth of student fees were introduced in the UK, however, the number of people interested in pursuing higher education grew at a faster rate than the UK population.

2013: Time magazine cover story: Millennials: The Me Me Me Generation

In 2013, Time magazine ran a cover story titled "Millennials: The Me Me Me Generation", contributing to the characterization of millennials.

2013: YouGov Poll on Religious Attendance and Beliefs in Britain

In 2013, a YouGov poll in Britain revealed that 56% of 18-24 year olds had never attended a place of worship except for weddings or funerals, with only 25% believing in God. The poll also indicated that 14% considered religion a 'cause of good,' while 41% viewed it as a 'cause of evil'.

2013: Rise in Mixed Martial Arts Popularity

In 2013, a survey found that engagement with mixed martial arts had increased and was more popular than boxing and wrestling for Americans aged 18 to 34 years old.

2013: Survey on British youth opinions

In 2013, a survey of almost a thousand Britons aged 18 to 24 found that 62% had a favorable opinion of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and 70% felt proud of their national history.

2013: Decline in First Marriages in China

In 2013, the number of people getting married for the first time in China was 23.8 million, a significant data point in understanding marriage trends.

2013: Swedish Student Debt Ratio

In 2013, the ratio of debt to expected income after graduation for Swedes was about 80%.

2013: Millennials prefer working for companies engaged in the betterment of society

The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) 2013 survey depicts a preference to work for companies engaged in the betterment of society.

March 2014: Pew Research Center Report on Millennials in Adulthood

In March 2014, the Pew Research Center released a report noting that millennials are 'detached from institutions and networked with friends.' While they are more optimistic about America's future, they face higher levels of student loan debt and unemployment.

2014: EU Population Data

In 2014, EU demographic data shows that people aged 18 to 33 were 24% of the population, with a high of 28% for Poland and a low of 19% for Italy.

2014: Generation Y label considered a placeholder

In 2014, a past director of data strategy at Ad Age said that "the Generation Y label was a placeholder until we found out more about them."

2014: SAT Math and Verbal Analysis

In 2014, average test scores from the SAT Math and Verbal were analyzed by educational psychologist Jonathan Wai in 2015, revealing patterns in major selections based on test scores.

2014: Urban Institute Projection on Millennial Marriage Rates

In 2014, research by the Urban Institute projected that if current trends continued, millennials would have a lower marriage rate compared to previous generations, with 31% of millennial women remaining single by age 40. Additionally, 32% of young adults aged 18–34 were living with parents.

2014: Millennials in the U.S. Population

In 2014, the Pew Research Center estimated that millennials comprised 27% of the U.S. population.

2014: Pew Research Center findings on European Millennials

In 2014, the Pew Research Center found that European millennials, having faced the Great Recession, were pessimistic about their countries' futures, with those in stronger economies being happier.

2014: "Generation Like" PBS Frontline episode

In the 2014 PBS Frontline episode "Generation Like", there is discussion about millennials, their dependence on technology, and the ways the social media sphere is commoditized.

2014: Generational adherence to corporate social responsibility

The 2014 Brookings publication shows a generational adherence to corporate social responsibility.

2015: Analysis of Religious Affiliation in Europe

According to a 2015 analysis of the European Values Study, the majority of young respondents in Europe claimed that they belonged to a Christian denomination, but a dramatic decline in religious affiliation happened in Great Britain, Sweden, France, Italy and Denmark.

2015: Continued Drop in Humanities Graduates

By 2015, the number of graduates in the humanities had dropped to 212,512, continuing a trend away from these fields of study.

2015: Increase in Overdose Deaths Among Millennials

From 2006 to 2015, overdose deaths among millennials increased by 108%, significantly affecting this generation.

2015: Ride-Hailing Services

In 2015, 28% of U.S. adults aged 18 to 29 used Lyft or Uber, compared to 51% in 2018, according to the Pew Research Center.

2015: Youth Voter Turnout Surge in Canadian Election

In 2015, Canadian millennials played a crucial role in the election of Justin Trudeau, driven by social and economic liberal values, with a surge in youth voter turnout influenced by Trudeau's progressive campaign promises.

2015: Microsoft study on phone usage

In 2015, a Microsoft study found that 77% of respondents aged 18 to 24 reach for their phone when they have nothing occupying their attention.

2015: Millennials Examined in China

In 2015, a conference in Shanghai organized by the University of Southern California's US-China Institute examined Chinese millennials and contrasted them with American millennials, noting differences in marriage, childbearing, career ambitions, and attitudes toward volunteerism and activism.

2015: Divorce rate changes among different age groups

In 2015, among Americans aged 25 to 39, the divorce rate dropped to 24 per 1,000 married persons, while among those aged 50 and up, the divorce rate went to 10, and among those aged 40 to 49 increased to 21 per 1,000 married persons.

2015: Jonathan Wai's Analysis of Test Scores

In 2015, educational psychologist Jonathan Wai analyzed average test scores from multiple historical tests, identifying a consistent pattern: those with the highest test scores tended to choose physical sciences and engineering as their majors.

2015: Estimated Number of U.S. Millennials

In 2015, the United States Census Bureau, using birth dates ranging from 1982 to 2000, estimated that there were 83.1 million millennials in the U.S.

2016: Marriage Rates Among Russian Millennials

As of 2016, 54% of Russian millennials were married, indicating a specific marital trend within this demographic in Russia.

2016: Millennials as Majority of Veteran Population

As of 2016, millennials are the majority of the total veteran population.

2016: US Median Age Compared to Other Rich Nations

As of 2016, the median age of the U.S. population was younger than that of all other rich nations except Australia, New Zealand, Cyprus, Ireland, and Iceland.

2016: Millennial women giving birth

By 2016, the cumulative number of American women of the millennial generation who had given birth at least once reached 17.3 million.

2016: Public Transit Use Among Young Adults

In 2016, 21% of adults aged 18 to 21 took public transit on a daily, almost daily, or weekly basis, according to the Pew Research Center.

2016: Pew Research Study on Delayed Adulthood Activities

In 2016, a Pew Research study indicated that millennials delay some activities considered rites of passage of adulthood. Young adults aged 18–34 were more likely to live with parents than with a relationship partner, a trend unprecedented since data collection began in 1880.

2016: U.S. Study on Church Attendance and Religious Beliefs by Generation

In 2016, a U.S. study found that church attendance among young adults was 41% for Generation Z and 18% for millennials. A survey by Barna and Impact 360 Institute indicated that 21% of Generation Z were atheists or agnostics, compared to 15% of millennials. The study also showed differing views on the relationship between science and the Bible across generations.

2016: Data Collection for Sexual Inactivity Study

In 2016, data was collected from young american men to be compared to older data for a study on changes in sexual activity.

2016: Millennials' Car Purchases

In 2016, millennials purchased more cars and trucks than any living generation except the Baby Boomers and even overtook Baby Boomers in car ownership in California.

2016: Millennials' Electoral Power Peak

In 2016, millennials' electoral power peaked.

2016: Brexit Referendum

In 2016, the United Kingdom held the European Union membership referendum (Brexit), partly driven by public backlash against fast ethno-demographic change.

2016: Rescinding of the One-Child Policy in China

In 2016, the one-child policy in China was rescinded, potentially affecting future demographic trends and the incentives for young women to marry due to existing workplace discrimination against women with families.

2016: Consumer Finances Survey

In 2019, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis published research (using data from the 2016 Survey of Consumer Finances)

2016: New Arrivals in Australia

In the fiscal year of 2016, 84% of new arrivals in Australia were below 40 years of age, compared to 54% of those already in the country.

2017: Millennial Participation in Caloric Activities

According to a 2017 survey of 30,999 Americans, approximately half of U.S. millennials participated in high caloric activities, indicating a diverse range of activity levels.

2017: Millennial Veteran Statistics

According to the Pew Research Center, in 2017 only 4% of millennial men [ages 21 to 36] are veterans.

2017: Significant Drop in English Majors

By 2017, the number of people majoring in English had plummeted by just over a quarter, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics.

2017: Vietnam's Fertility Rate Reaches 1.95

In 2017, Vietnam's fertility rate dropped to 1.95, and 23% of the population was 15 years of age or younger.

2017: BBC report on Millennial age range

In 2017, a BBC report referred to the 1980-2000 age range when referencing National Records of Scotland.

2017: Study finds slight decline in narcissism among young people

In 2017, a study published in the journal Psychological Science found a small decline in narcissism among young people since the 1990s.

2017: Higher Education Rate in England

In 2017, almost half of young people in England had received higher education by the age of 30, and women were more likely to attend or to have attended university than men, by 55% against 43%.

2017: Millennial Demographics in the U.S.

In 2017, fewer than 56% of millennials were non-Hispanic whites, 57% had never been married, and 67% lived in a metropolitan area.

2017: Research on live music attendance in the UK

In 2017, research suggested nearly half of 18 to 34 year olds living in the UK had attended a live music event in the previous year.

2017: U.S. Fertility Rate at 1.765

In 2017, the U.S. fertility rate fell to 1.765.

2017: Global average fertility rate

In 2017, the global average fertility rate was 2.4.

February 2018: Survey on Holocaust Awareness

In February 2018, a survey of 1,350 individuals revealed that 66% of American millennials did not know what Auschwitz was, and a significant percentage had misconceptions or lack of awareness about the Holocaust.

2018: Millennials Projected to be Heaviest Generation

According to a 2018 report from Cancer Research UK, millennials in the United Kingdom are on track to have the highest rates of overweight and obesity, potentially overtaking the Baby Boomer generation.

2018: Association Football's Rise Among Millennials

As of 2018, association football and Major League Soccer were the second most popular sport among millennials aged 18 to 34, showing an increase in popularity compared to other generations.

2018: Immigration Surge in the United Kingdom

As of 2018, immigration surged in the United Kingdom and has not fallen since 1991.

2018: Italians Moving Abroad

In 2018, 150,000 Italians moved abroad, many of whom were young people seeking educational and economic opportunities.

2018: Increased Use of Ride-Hailing Services

In 2018, 51% of U.S. adults aged 18 to 29 used Lyft or Uber, compared to 28% in 2015, according to the Pew Research Center.

2018: Data Collection for Sexual Inactivity Study

In 2018, Data on sexual inactivity among men aged 18-24 was recorded to be compared to earlier years in a study on changes in sexual activity.

2018: The Economist article on generations

In 2018, Jonathan Rauch wrote for The Economist that "generations are squishy concepts", but the 1981 to 1996 birth cohort is a "widely accepted" definition for millennials.

2018: Report on Declining Sexual Intercourse Among Young Adults

In 2018, Kate Julian reported in The Atlantic that several countries, including Australia, Finland, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States, showed a decline in the frequency of sexual intercourse among teenagers and young adults, despite increased access to online dating and contraception.

2018: Singapore's low birth rate

In 2018, Singapore's birth rate reached 1.14, marking it as the lowest since 2010 and one of the lowest in the world, despite government incentives like the baby bonus.

2018: Vietnam's Median Age

In 2018, Vietnam's median age was 26 and rising, with life expectancy climbing from 60 in the 1970s to 76, the second highest in Southeast Asia.

2018: Children living with married parents by income quintile

In 2018, in the United States, children from families in the highest income quintile are the most likely to live with married parents (94%), followed by children of the middle class (74%) and the bottom quintile (35%).

2018: Gender Imbalance in China and India

In 2018, the United Nations reported severe gender imbalances in China and India, with 112 Chinese males and 111 Indian males aged 15 to 29 for every 100 females, leading to a total of 34 million excess males in China and 37 million in India, fueling societal problems like loneliness, human trafficking, and prostitution.

2018: Millennials More Active Than Baby Boomers

The Physical Activity Council's 2018 Participation Report found that in 2017, millennials were more active than Baby Boomers in the U.S., with a higher overall activity level.

2019: Increase in Heart Attacks Among Young Americans

According to a 2019 report from the American College of Cardiology, the prevalence of heart attacks among Americans under the age of 40 increased by an average rate of two percent per year in the previous decade.

2019: Global annual rate of growth declining

According to the United Nations, in 2019, the global annual rate of growth had been declining steadily since the late twentieth century, dropping to about one percent.

2019: Top Countries for High-Skilled Workers in 2019

As of 2019, the top five countries for international high-skilled workers are Switzerland, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Sweden, according to the KDM Engineering analysis.

2019: College Debt and Gap Year Considerations

As of 2019, the total college debt has exceeded US$1.5 trillion, and a TD Ameritrade survey found that over 18% of millennials (and 30% of Generation Z) said they have considered taking a gap year between high school and college.

2019: Youth Unemployment Rate in Italy

In 2019, Italy's youth unemployment rate was a staggering 35%.

2019: Pew Research Center Poll on Dating Difficulty

In 2019, a Pew Research Center poll found that 47% of American adults believed dating had become more difficult in the last decade, with the #MeToo movement posing challenges. Half of single adults were not looking for a romantic relationship, indicating a shift in dating preferences and attitudes.

2019: UK Study on Decreasing Sexual Activity

In 2019, a study by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found a similar trend of decreased sexual activity in the United Kingdom, mirroring findings in the United States. This study complements the research on declining sexual activity among young adults.

2019: Study on Childlessness Among Swedish Men

In 2019, a study revealed that among 191 Swedish men aged 20 to 50, 39 (20.4%) were not fathers and did not want to have children in the future. This indicates that there are a number of social factors that can influence parenthood decisions.

2019: Wealth Premium Weakens for Post-1980 Graduates

In 2019, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis published research demonstrating that the wealth premium has weakened for families with heads of household with post-secondary education but born after 1980, in part because of the rising cost of college.

2019: Millennials Outnumber Baby Boomers

In 2019, the Pew Research Center estimated that millennials outnumbered baby boomers for the first time, with 72.1 million millennials compared to 71.6 million baby boomers.

2019: Significant Drop in First Marriages in China

In 2019, the number of people getting married for the first time in China dropped to 13.9 million, marking a 41% decrease since 2013. The marriage rate also declined to 6.6 per 1,000 people, reflecting a 33% drop compared to 2013.

March 2020: Quest Report on Childlessness in Belgium and the Netherlands

In March 2020, Quest reported that in Belgium, 11% of women and 16% of men between 25 and 35 did not want children, and in the Netherlands, 10% of 30-year-old women had decided against having children or having more children, reflecting a trend of declining desire for parenthood.

2020: Concentration of Economic Activities

From 2000 to 2020, before the COVID pandemic, economic activities tended to concentrate in the large metropolitan areas.

2020: Study on Decreasing Sexual Activity Among Young Americans

In 2020, a JAMA study revealed that young Americans had sexual intercourse less frequently during the first two decades of the twenty-first century. The share of sexually inactive men aged 18-24 increased from 18.9% (2000-2002) to 30.9% (2016-2018), reflecting a notable shift in sexual behavior.

2020: Millennial Electorate Share Shrinks

In 2020, millennials' share of the electorate began to shrink as Generation Z became eligible to vote.

2021: Gender Imbalance in China

As of 2021, China has over 30 million 'surplus' men, stemming from the traditional preference for sons and the one-child policy, highlighting a significant gender imbalance in the country.

2021: Drug Overdoses as Leading Cause of Death

In 2021, drug overdoses were the leading cause of death for people aged 25–44, with overdose deaths being triple that of suicide and traffic accidents, respectively.

2021: Australian Bureau of Statistics uses 1981-1995 to define Millennials

In 2021, the Australian Bureau of Statistics used the years 1981 to 1995 to define millennials in a Census report.

2021: Popularity of "Geriatric Millennial" term

In 2021, the term "Geriatric Millennial" gained popularity to describe those born in the early 1980s.

2022: U.S. Census Publication on Millennials

In 2022, a U.S. Census publication noted that millennials are "colloquially defined as the cohort born from 1981 to 1996", using this definition in a breakdown of Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) data.

2023: Millennial fan influence on commercial success

In 2023, Millennial fans significantly contributed to the success of franchises such as Harry Potter, Twilight, The Hunger Games, the movie Barbie, and Taylor Swift's Eras Tour.

2023: Population Reference Bureau report on Millennials

In 2023, a report by the Population Reference Bureau defines millennials as those born from 1981 to 1999.

2025: Australia's Working-Age Population Growth

Australia's working-age population is expected to grow until about 2025, similar to other immigrant-friendly countries.

2025: Projected Generation Alpha population

By 2025, the number of people belonging to Generation Alpha is expected to reach two billion globally.

2033: Projected Peak of Millennial Generation

Pew projected that the Millennial generation would reach around 74.9 million in 2033, after which mortality would outweigh immigration.

2050: Revised projection of human population

According to the United Nations, the projection of human population in 2050 was revised down to 9.7 billion due to fertility rates falling faster in the developing world.

2069: Future Date Mentioned in Book Title

The year 2069 is mentioned in the title of William Strauss and Neil Howe's book "Generations: The History of America's Future, 1584 to 2069", indicating the book's scope to cover history until that future year.