Quick Answer
How many boomers are there in 2025?
There are 76 million boomers in the United States and 205 million boomers on the planet.
A Baby boomer, or simply Boomer, is someone who was born between the end of World War II and the middle of the 1960s.
This is the group that rebuilt careers and the economy after the global war.
The name derives from the fact millions of babies were born during the boom period straight after the war
This has resulted in a large number of boomers, many of whom have been prosperous.
As a result of their numbers and financial success, this group is considered very influential, both politically and economically.
Of course, someone born in 1946 would now be in their late seventies.
That means, when considering how many boomers are there, we also need to consider how many have already passed away.
It should be noted that boomers are considered the longest-living generation in history so far.
While their age may be causing some of their financial issues, this generation is still responsible for a large amount of spending.
In short, they are vital to the ongoing prosperity of the economy.
Key Statistics
- 76 million people were born in the US between 1946 and 1964
- There are 205 million boomers on the planet
- Boomers are predicted to number 61.3 million in the US by 2029
- As of 2019, there were more millennials than boomers
- In 2020 boomers spent approximately $8 trillion on goods & services
- 33.3% of boomers are still working
- 40% of baby boomers feel social media is an important part of their life
- By 2030, 20% of people in the US will be older than 65
- 10,000 baby boomers reach retirement age daily
- By 2050 there will be 1.5 billion people older than 65
- 90% of boomers are married
How Many Boomers Are There in 2025?
1. 76 Million People Were Born In The US Between 1946 And 1964
According to the US census, 76 million people were born during the boomer years.
Considering there are approximately 330 million people living in the US, baby boomers account for roughly a quarter of the US population.
It’s estimated that 11 million baby boomers have died, reducing the number of boomers in the US to 65 million.
However, if immigrants coming to the US and making it their home are taken into consideration, the number of boomers climbs back up.
Impressively, when you include immigrants the number reaches 76.4 million.
That’s more than the number of boomers born in the US.
(US Census)
2. There Are 205 Million Boomers On The Planet
It’s difficult to put an exact figure on the number of boomers globally.
This is because different countries keep records differently.
Some are not as exact as those in the US.
However, according to a recent survey by Pew Research, there are approximately 205 million boomers on the planet.
Over a third of them are in the US!
Of course, the number of boomers in subsequent years is likely to drop as they age and life expectancies in different countries take their toll.
(Pew Research)
3. Boomers Are Predicted To Number 61.3 Million In The US By 2029
By 2029, the youngest boomers will reach the traditional retirement age of 65.
In other words, all baby boomers will be older than 65.
Some will have retired, some will still have years of work left to deal with.
While some will die early, the improvements in medications and life care mean that many of these boomers will live into their eighties, nineties, and even past 100.
According to the latest estimates there will still be over 61 million boomers in the US in 2029.
The number of boomers will gradually decline after this but it is likely to be 2060 or later before boomer numbers drop to zero.
(Investopedia)
4. As Of 2019, There Were More Millennials Than Boomers
For many years, baby boomers were the largest generation.
The 19 years after the Second World War was a time of prosperity, hope, and babies being born.
That’s what makes this generation so large.
However, Millennials also come from a prosperous time.
They were born between the start of the 1980s and 2000, another prosperous time.
While there were never quite as many Millennials as Boomers, the aging boomer population means that the numbers are balancing out.
According to Pew Research, Millennials finally overtook boomers in 2019.
Records show there were several million more Millennials than boomers.
The divide between the two generations will gradually increase as boomers continue to age.
However, it may be years before there is a significant difference in their numbers.
(Pew Research)
5. In 2020 Boomers Spent Approximately $8 Trillion On Goods & Services
A report completed in 2020 found that baby boomers spent an impressive $8 trillion on goods and services during 2020.
It’s believed that boomers are the wealthiest generation, and that’s not just because they are some of the oldest.
Boomers lived through a time of prosperity and, as such, many have done well for themselves.
This allows them to be affluent in retirement and spoil their children and grandchildren.
While the study didn’t highlight what boomers have been spending on, it did predict that the annual spend by this generation will hit $15 trillion by 2030.
That’s by the time they have all reached retirement age.
(Brookings Institute)
6. 33.3% Of Boomers Are Still Working
The youngest boomers have yet to reach retirement age.
That, and the fact some people don’t want to retire at 65, is why a third of all baby boomers are still working.
Many may not have any plans to stop.
Of course, this generation also faces an array of changes.
For example, the traditional US pension is no longer an option.
The boomer generation has had to adapt to defined-contribution plans which have been paid into by the employee and perhaps the company.
In real terms, this means that just 58% of boomers aged between 56 and 64 have a retirement account.
The rest may not be able to stop working.
(Investopedia)
7. 40% Of Baby Boomers Feel Social Media Is An Important Part Of Their Life
Baby Boomers were brought up before the internet arrived.
They are used to finding ways to amuse themselves, getting information from books, and even talking to people on the telephone.
It’s therefore not surprising that many baby boomers don’t see social media as an important part of their life.
The latest research shows just 40% of baby boomers feel social media is essential to their existence.
That doesn’t mean 60% of boomers don’t go on social media, simply that they are less concerned about it.
The research shows that boomers still like to browse the internet. It is, after all, a very useful tool.
Impressively, despite being largely unimpressed with social media, 73% of them use social media to stay connected to family members.
(Pew Research)
8. By 2030, 20% Of People In The US Will Be Older Than 65
According to the latest studies, at least 20% of the US population will be older than 65 by 2030. That’s a significant shift.
In 2012, it was just 14% of the population.
This figure is mainly boomers, although some pre-boomers will still be alive and included in these figures.
What’s most concerning about these figures is that the aging population will place an array of burdens on younger generations.
This will compound the stresses already felt by many thanks to the poor economy and rising prices.
If the transition isn’t handled correctly it could lead to serious problems for the economy.
Unemployment will fall but there will be less economic growth and greater financial burdens on younger generations.
That will curb spending and cause the economy to stutter.
It’s worth noting the US isn’t the only country affected by this.
In 2014, people over 65 in the US accounted for 14.5% of the population.
By 2050 it will be at least 21%.
The issue is likely to be worse in 2050 for Japan (40%), Germany (30%), Poland (32%), China (27%), Russia (26%), France (26%), Canada (26%), and even the UK (24%).
(US Census Bureau)
9. 10,000 Baby Boomers Reach Retirement Age Daily
As mentioned, all boomer’s will be 65 by the end of 2029.
With over 70 million in the US that means millions of boomers are likely to be retiring in the next 6 years.
The current rate of retirement for boomers is unknown as not everyone who reaches retirement age chooses to retire.
However, there are currently 10,000 people turning 65 every single day.
That’s 10,000 people potentially retiring every day.
In other words, the economic issues associated with the retirement of the boomer generation have already started.
They will simply get worse over time.
Just imagine the pressure this will place on the social security system in developed nations.
The problem will be far worse in nations without a good healthcare and social security system.
It should be noted that, despite, or perhaps because of, the global pandemic, 30 million baby boomers retired in 2020.
(US Census Bureau)
10. By 2050 There Will Be 1.5 Billion People Older Than 65
Current estimates suggest there are just over 700 million people in the world over 65 years of age.
That’s roughly one in every 11 people being over 65.
Fast forward to 2050 and the figure changes to one in every six.
Approximately 1.5 billion people across the planet will be over 65.
Alongside this, the number of people over 80 is likely to triple over the next 30 years.
That’s thanks to advancements in medical care boosting longevity.
At the beginning of the 1900s, the chances of living to 65 were just 50%.
Today, you have a 90% chance of reaching 65.
In addition, the average person will live another 15-20 years after turning 65!
(UN DESA Population Division)
11. 90% Of Boomers Are Married
This statistic isn’t directly relevant to how many boomers are there.
However, it does highlight an interesting difference between generations.
According to the latest research, 90% of boomers are either married or have been married.
In contrast, just 33% of Millennials have been married.
While times have changed and people are getting married later in life, 49% of boomers were married while they were aged 18-33.
Just 28% of Millennials in the same age bracket were married, illustrating the decline in the popularity of marriage.
It’s worth noting that 10% of boomers never got married and only 4% of the silent generation didn’t marry.
Millennials are less committed, with 25% of them never likely to get married.
(Pew Research)
Summing Up
The answer to how many boomers there are is alarming.
This isn’t just because it’s over 70 million.
The simple truth is that the number of boomers in the US and across the globe is going to cause significant economic pressure in the coming years.
That’s something which everyone should be preparing for today.
Baby boomers are the older, although not yet oldest, generation.
However, they have made significant contributions to the world.
In fact, boomers are responsible for creating the internet and even starting Apple.
As with all generations, there are good and bad elements.
However, this summary of boomer statistics highlights how much power and influence this generation controls and the possible issues the US and other countries around the globe face in the very near future.
