Generation Z is most commonly defined as starting with people born in 1997.

Core answer

Most major research groups and reference sites place the start of Gen Z in the late 1990s , with 1997 being the standard cutoff after Millennials. The end of Gen Z is often placed in the early 2010s , frequently around 2012, before Generation Alpha begins.

Why 1997 is used

  • Reference works like Britannica describe Generation Z as those born in the late 1990s and early 2000s, often using 1997–2012 as an example range.
  • Overviews of Gen Z note that researchers and media “typically” define Gen Z as people born from 1997 to 2012 , even though exact boundaries are debated.

Other ranges you might see

  • Some articles and forum discussions argue for a slightly earlier start, such as 1995 or 1996 , and an end around 2009–2010 , but these are less standardized.
  • Because generations are about shared formative experiences (internet, smartphones, post‑9/11 world), different writers draw the lines a bit differently, which is why charts and posts online sometimes disagree.

Simple takeaway

If you just need one clear answer for “when does Gen Z start,” the widely used, research‑backed choice is: Gen Z starts with the 1997 birth year.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.