Babies born in 2025 are a new generation called Gen Beta - the first time 7 generations are alive at once

It’s not just a new year we’re welcoming but also the new history-making Generation Beta. But these babies have one massive difference.

Babies born in 2025 will go down in history as being the first of a milestone new generation – marking the first time seven generations will be alive at one time.

As Gen Beta are welcomed into the world they’ll replace Gen Alpha – those born between 2010 and 2024 – as our youngest age cohort.

As this baton is passed, the oldest of today’s young adult Zoomers, or Gen Z (1995 to 2009) will turn 30 while Millennials, or Gen Y, will start to embrace middle age and Gen X (1965 to 1979), hit retirement.

McCrindle Research principal Mark McCrindle says the arrival of a new generation is significant with “the pace of generational change accelerating”.

“While AI or social media and its impact gets people’s attention, the ongoing demographic change we are seeing across the generations is massive … there are more generations mixing in the workplace, in communities, families and households than ever before,” the social researcher said.

“In 2025 we will have seven generations in Australia, including Generation Beta coming along and making history as the first year seven generations will be alive at the same time.

“We now have a generation of great grandparents who began their life in the massively different 20th century … and a generation who will live into the 22nd century, so it’s quite a big change.”

And what will Gen Beta be like?

“The new generation will be the most formally-educated generation in our history, the most globally-connected and materially-endowed generation ever … they’ll have increased life expectancy well beyond that of their great grandparents with most Generation Beta living into their 90s,” Mr McCrindle said.

“We anticipate this cohort will be a technologically integrated generation, as well as a curious one, one that values diversity, and embraces change and difference.”

There is plenty happening within the generations, too

“We’re also seeing a lot of transition points in the life stage of the generations and changes across the age groups,” he said.

“Baby Boomers (1946 to 1964) are entering their retirement years with different expectations, while Builders (1925 to 1945) are focusing more on relationships and building a legacy.”

From youngest to oldest the seven current generations, defined by sociological categories, are Gen Beta, Gen Alpha, Generation Z, Millennials, Gen X, Baby Boomers and Builders.

Expectant mum Sheridan Cook, 39, is delighted her and husband William’s second child, a daughter due on May 2, will be born into Generation Beta, while her big brother, Jett, now just 13 months, is Gen Alpha.

Expectant mum Sheridan Cook, whose baby is due in May, with her one-year-old son Jett, her mum Jenny Grigg and grandfather John Williams. Picture: RoyVPhotography

“Kids share so many things … I think it’s special that they will forever have something as simple as this that makes them their own,” she said.

She’s even more pleased her children get to interact with her beloved maternal grandfather, John Maxwell Williams, who turns 90 this month.

“Jett has already made a great relationship with Grandpa and I can’t wait for our second to do the same,” she said.

It’s a sentiment shared by the great-grandfather.

“It’s very special … to be here to continue to meet more and more family in the form of a great-grandchild is amazing,” he said.

Born in 1935, Mr Willians is part of the oldest Builder generation, and says technology is the biggest change he has witnessed in his life.

“There was nothing when I was younger; I’m amazed with how quick technology has advanced, from travelling to the moon, to our cars these days … the list just keeps on going,” he said.