Generation Z generally ends around the year 2012, with some sources marking the endpoint as early as 2009 and others extending it to 2012. Most researchers agree on the start of Gen Z around 1996 or 1997, and the end coincides with the beginning of Generation Alpha, which starts around 2010 to 2012. The generation following Gen Z is called Generation Alpha, typically considered to begin in the early 2010s.

Common Date Ranges for Gen Z

• Birth years from 1996 or 1997 to about 2009 to 2012.
• The end of Gen Z varies slightly depending on the source, with many agreeing on 2012 as the upper boundary.
• Generation Alpha is recognized as starting around 2010 to 2012, bridging the gap between the two generations.

Summary of Generation Boundaries

Generation| Start Year| End Year
---|---|---
Generation Z| 1996 or 1997| 2009 to 2012
Generation Alpha| Around 2010 to 2012| Ongoing (currently middle 2020s)

These boundaries are approximate and reflect general consensus rather than fixed rules. They align with cultural and technological shifts influencing each generation's experiences, such as the rise of smartphones and social media for Gen Z, and newer digital advances for Generation Alpha.