Millennials, born between 1980 and 2000, are now the largest generation in the United States, surpassing Baby Boomers. They are more liberal and progressive than older generations on social issues like gay marriage and marijuana legalization. Many Millennials came of age during the Great Recession, which negatively impacted their employment and economic opportunities. Compared to previous generations at a similar age, Millennials are more likely to live in poverty and have lower wages. They are also less likely to be married and more likely to live with their parents.

1. Millennials in a Changing U.S.
Kim Parker
May 8, 2015
Director, Social Trends Research

2. May 15, 2015 2www.pewresearch.org
Overview:
• Generations and the changing face of America
• Outlook and political views
• Coming of age and the Great Recession
• Experiences and lifestyle

3. GENERATIONS AND THE CHANGING
FACE OF AMERICA
May 15, 2015 www.pewresearch.org 3

4. May 15, 2015 4www.pewresearch.org
The Generations Defined
Note: * The youngest Millennials are in their teens. No chronological end point has been set for this group.
The “Greatest Generation,” which includes those born before 1928, is not included in the analysis due to the small sample size.
The Millennial Generation
Age: 18 to 34*
Born after 1980
Generation X
Age: 35 to 50
Born 1965 to1980
The Baby Boom Generation
Age: 51 to 69
Born 1946 to 1964
The Silent Generation
Age: 70 to 87
Born 1928 to 1945

5. May 15, 2015 5www.pewresearch.org
Millennials Will Overtake Boomers in 2015
Projected populations, in millions, 2014 to 2050
Source: Pew Research Center tabulations of U.S. Census Bureau population projections released December 2014
81
66
65
75
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
1/1/2014 1/1/2024 1/1/2034 1/1/2044
Boomers
Millennials
Silents
Gen X-ers

6. May 15, 2015 6www.pewresearch.org
The Changing Face of America, 1960-2060
% of the total population
Note: Data labels not showing if less than 5%. White, black, Asian and “all other” include only non-Hispanics who identify as a single race. Hispanics are of any race.
Asians include Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. All other includes American Indians/Alaska Natives in all years and those who reported two or more
races beginning in 2000.
Source: Pew Research Center historic population estimates for 1960–1990 (Passel and Cohn, “US Population Projections: 2005–2050,” Feb. 11, 2008). Census
Bureau population estimates for 2000–2010 and projections for 2015–2060
85 83 80 76
69
64
10 11
12
12
12
12
4 5 6
9
13
16
5
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
Actual
60
55
51
47 43
13
13
13
13
13
19
22
25
28
31
6 6 7 8 8
5 6
2020 2030 2040 2050 2060
- White
- Black
- Hispanic
- Asian
- All other
Projected

7. May 15, 2015 7www.pewresearch.org
U.S. Population, by Race and Age, 2014
Note: Whites include only non-Hispanics.
Source: Current Population Survey, March 2014
% of each age group
52
63
78
48
37
22
Younger than 18
18 to 64
65 and older
White Non-white
Millennials
43%

8. OUTLOOK AND POLITICAL VIEWS
May 15, 2015 www.pewresearch.org 8

9. May 15, 2015 9www.pewresearch.org
Millennials: Unmoored from Institutions

10. May 15, 2015 10www.pewresearch.org
Millennials More Liberal than Older Generations
% of each generation who identify as liberal
Source: Data points represent totals based on all Pew Research surveys of the general public conducted in that calendar year
13
17
25
27
2001 2005 2009 2013
24% Gen X
31% Millennial
21% Boomer
18% Silent
2014

11. May 15, 2015 11www.pewresearch.org
Millennials at Leading Edge of Changing Views on
Gay Marriage
% of each generation who favor allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally
Source: Data points represent totals based on all Pew Research surveys of the general public conducted in that calendar year
21
32
49 44
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
55% Gen X
68% Millennial
48% Boomer
38% Silent

12. May 15, 2015 12www.pewresearch.org
Growing Support for Marijuana Legalization
% saying use of marijuana should be made legal
Source: Pew Research Center survey, Feb. 12-26, 2014. 1973-2008 data from General Social Survey: 1969 and 1972 data from
Gallup
15
30 Silent
43
52 Boomer
21
53 Gen X
34
69 Millennial
1969 1978 1987 1996 2005 2014

13. May 15, 2015 13www.pewresearch.org
Millennials Have More Progressive Views on
Key Trends in Marriage and Family
% saying … is a “good thing for American society”
Source: Pew Research survey, Feb. 14-23, 2014
50
35
38
24
33
21
19
11
Millennial Gen X Boomer Silent
More people of different races
marrying each other
More gay and lesbian couples
raising children

14. COMING OF AGE AND THE GREAT RECESSION
May 15, 2015 www.pewresearch.org 14

15. May 15, 2015 15www.pewresearch.org
The Recession’s Impact on Millennials
% of 18-34 year-olds saying they have done each in recent years
because of economic conditions
Source: Pew Research survey, Dec. 6-19, 2011
49
35
24
24
22
20
Taken a job just to pay the bills
Gone back to school
Taken an unpaid job/internship
Postponed getting married
Moved back in with parents
Postponed having a baby

16. May 15, 2015 16www.pewresearch.org
Young Adults Now Much More Likely than Older Adults to
Live in Poverty
Share of households in poverty, by age of householder, 1967-2011
Source: Pew Research Center analysis of the Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement, IPUMS
22
10
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
1967 1977 1987 1997 2007
Younger than 35
65 and older
%
2011

17. May 15, 2015 17www.pewresearch.org
Sagging Wages for Millennial Men
Note: Estimates are for civilian, non-institutionalized, full- and part-time employed workers with positive earnings. Self-employed
workers are excluded.
Source: Pew Research Center tabulations of Current Population Survey data.
$10
$15
$20
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
Women
ages 25-34
Men
ages 25-34
2012
Men
Women
Median hourly earnings (in 2012 dollars), 1980-2012

18. EXPERIENCES AND LIFESTYLE
May 15, 2015 www.pewresearch.org 18

19. May 15, 2015 19www.pewresearch.org
The Decline in Marriage
Current marital status, 1960-2012
Source: Pew Research calculations of Decennial Census and American Community Survey data
72
50
5
14
9
6
15
29
0
20
40
60
80
100
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
Never married Widowed Divorced or separated Married
2012

20. May 15, 2015 20www.pewresearch.org
Public Divided Over Value of Marriage for Society
% saying society is …
Source: Pew Research Center survey, Jan 23-Mar 16, 2014 (N=10,013)
50%
46%
Better off if marriage
and children are
a priority
Just as well off if
people have priorities
other than marriage
and children
Neither, Both equally,
Don’t know (VOL.)
5

21. May 15, 2015 21www.pewresearch.org
Generational Divide on Importance of Marriage
% saying “Society is just as well off if people have priorities other than
marriage and children”
Source: Pew Research Center survey, Jan. 23-Mar 16, 2014 (N=10,013)
65
51
43
30
Millennial
Gen X
Boomer
Silent

22. May 15, 2015 22www.pewresearch.org
The Decline in Marriage Among the Young
Source: Data from 1980, 1997 and 2013 are from the March Current Population Survey; 1960 data are from the 1960 Census
26
36
48
65
Millennial (2013)
Gen X (1997)
Boomer (1980)
Silent (1960)
% married at age 18 to 32, by generation

23. May 15, 2015 23www.pewresearch.org
Generations, Facebook and Friends
Note: Based on Facebook users, n=960. In 2013, “Younger Boomers” were ages 49 to 57, “Older Boomers” were ages 58 to 67 and
“Silents” were ages 68 to 85.
Source: Pew Research Center’s Internet Project survey, Aug. 7-Sep. 16, 2013
250
200
98
50
Millennial
Gen X
Younger Boomer
Older Boomer/Silent
Median number of friends on Facebook

24. May 15, 2015 24www.pewresearch.org
Social Network Site Use by Age Group, 2005-2013
% of internet users in each age group who use social networking sites
Sources: Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project surveys, 2005-2013
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
All internet users
72
Ages 18–29
89
Ages 30–49
78
Ages 50–64
60
Ages 65
and older
43
%
Feb
'05
Aug
'06
May
'08
Apr
'09
May
'10
Aug
'11
Aug
'12
May
‘13