Gen Z is expected to overtake baby boomers in the workforce by next year

Gen Z is expected to overtake baby boomers in the workforce by next year, per Axios.


The imminent changing of the guards in the workforce, where Gen Z is poised to outnumber boomers early next year, is a transformation anticipated by Glassdoor in its 2024 Workplace Trends report. This shift, deemed "long coming" by the employer review site, is expected to bring about ripple effects in workplace dynamics.

As companies navigate the post-pandemic return to the office, the composition of the workforce is undergoing a notable transformation. Glassdoor's chief economist, Aaron Terrazas, notes that demographics will not revert to pre-pandemic norms, highlighting that 2024 is on track to witness the smallest number of boomers in the full-time workforce since around 1970. The increasing presence of Gen Z and the diminishing number of boomers are compelling companies to adjust their benefits and employee engagement strategies.

However, it is crucial to recognize that the workplace is not entirely a Gen Z world just yet. Millennials will continue to exert considerable influence, retaining their predominant position for the next couple of decades. Boomers, who held the title of the largest generation until 2011, are retiring at a pace that the workforce is not entirely prepared for, resulting in a managerial transition. A new era is emerging, marked by the rise of millennial managers overseeing an increasingly Gen Z workforce.

The evolving landscape may witness more emphasis on discussions about compensation. The youngest generations, Gen Z and millennials, exhibit a strong inclination toward pay transparency. A notable 76% of millennials and 74% of Gen Zers express their willingness to discuss salary with coworkers, signaling a shift in openness compared to Gen Xers and boomers. Against the backdrop of high inflation and financial concerns, particularly among entry-level employees, there is growing pressure to understand peers' salaries and advocate for fair compensation.

Gen Z is also anticipated to shape conversations around holding employers accountable for their operations. Survey findings from Glassdoor indicate that younger generations are more inclined to discuss politics, diversity, and inclusion compared to their older counterparts. Additionally, influenced by remote work habits carried into the post-pandemic office, Gen Z is credited with fostering a more informal work culture characterized by casual dressing, communication, and messaging among colleagues.

While generational differences can sometimes be exaggerated, and stereotypes may not universally apply, the workplace is undoubtedly undergoing shifts as Gen Z makes its mark. Despite differences, commonalities persist, with both the oldest and youngest employees expressing a desire for challenging and meaningful work, as revealed in a 2022 Indeed survey. Regardless of age, the importance of work-life balance remains a shared value. Gen Z's distinctiveness lies in its vocal expression of preferences, facilitated by the internet's amplification of their voices to a broader audience.

“I don’t think Gen Z wants more than others,” emphasized DeAndre Brown, a Gen Z content creator. “In fact, we want the exact same things as other generations. However, due to the internet, we have become way more vocal about it since we have the potential to reach a large audience.”