Page 28 - Social_Diversity

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Chapter 5

Generational diversity and inclusion

5.1 Generational diversity and inclusion – The concept

We live in times of significant social, economic and demographic changes. With rising longevity and
declining fertility, the world is aging rapidly. By 2050, the number of people over 60 is projected to increase
by 50 per cent in developed countries and triple in developing countries, with global life expectancy
increasing to 75 years. While older adults have the opportunities to share knowledge and experience with
1
younger generations, they are also more likely to feel set aside because of the rapid pace of technology
advancements, even though they have valuable expertise.

Nowadays, the generational diversity in the workplace is growing, meaning people of a wide range of dif-
ferent ages work together. In just a few years, four generations will coexist within companies: Baby Boom-
ers, Generation X, Millennials, Generation Z.

Here are different generations and their characteristics in the workforce 2

Baby Boomers were born between 1946 and 1964. This generation is known for having a strong work
ethic, placing significant importance on professional accomplishments, and for being somewhat reserved
from a social perspective. Boomers are very goal-oriented and competitive. This generation prefers
one-on-one communication and phone calls over email and instant messaging.

1 https://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/intergenerational-issues-factsheet.html
2 https://harver.com/blog/generational-diversity-in-the-workplace/