Starting January 1, 2025, the newest population group, Generation Beta, will enter the world. The group, made up of children born between 2025 and 2039, is expected to make up 16 percent of the world’s population in 2035, with many likely entering the early 22nd century, according to oft-cited social researcher Mark McCrindle’s definition the generation names.

Generation Beta is the successor to Generation Alpha (those born between 2010 and 2024), which followed Generation Z (1996 to 2010) and Millennials (1981 to 1996). Generation Beta follows a naming convention that began with Generation Alpha, using the Greek alphabet to mark a new era in human history.

The “beta babies,” as they are called, will grow up in a time characterized by unprecedented technological integration into daily life. They will likely be the first generation to experience “large-scale autonomous transportation, wearable health technologies, and immersive virtual environments as standard aspects of daily life.”

“While Generation Alpha has seen the rise of smart technology and artificial intelligence, Generation Beta will live in an era where AI and automation are fully integrated into everyday life, from education and the workplace to healthcare and entertainment,” McCrindle said in his blog post.

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Challenges for Gen Beta

While technology will be accessible at the touch of a button, Generation Beta will also inherit a societal landscape that presents several significant challenges such as climate change, urbanization and changes in global population dynamics. It is expected that these challenges will result in Generation Beta emphasizing adaptability, quality and collaboration.

Although the previous two generations were more environmentally conscious than their predecessors, Generation Beta must ensure that sustainability is not a buzzword but a fundamental expectation.

“Understanding their needs, values ​​and preferences will be critical as we anticipate how they will shape the future of society.”

Furthermore, with social connections already becoming a scarce commodity in the modern world with the growth of social media platforms, Generation Beta must find ways to connect in the truest sense of the word.