Results: This survey is about the baby boom or boomer generation, a combination of circumstances that had an impact on population growth in North America that is unlikely to be repeated.
Published on 05/16/2025
In the 1960s, more than a third of the population in Canada and the US was under 18. This boom in the population that started after WW11 meant the label "Boomer Generation" was quite apt. To meet the needs of this generation many changes were made in post war society. Here are some of those changes. As a member of this generation, I find this interesting and I hope you do too.
QUESTIONS
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Comments
1.
1.
The prosperous postwar era led to an increase of births between 1946 and 1964 that gave the baby boomer generation its nickname. Over this 19-year period, the booming birth rate helped the population grow by more than 50%. Here are some other stats from that time. Which of them do you find interesting even if you are not from that time?
During the 1930s and early 1940s, many couples held off on starting families because of the economic insecurity of the Great Depression and uncertainty of World War II.
31%
623 votes
During the boomer generation, the age demographic shifted so rapidly that by 1960, 36% of the population was under age 18.
47%
939 votes
For context, in 2022, an estimated 22.4% of the U.S. population was under 18.
25%
504 votes
Other (please specify)
1%
15 votes
Not Interested
35%
696 votes
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.53% | 11 | |
| Most of them gew up to become idiots. | 0.05% | 1 |
| ... | 0.05% | 1 |
| My parents alone had 5 children between the years of 1950-1964. | 0.05% | 1 |
| Not sure | 0.05% | 1 |
2.
2.
The phenomenon of the baby boom generation is unlike to be repeated. Here are some facts that support that opinion. Which do you find interesting?
In the US, fertility rates in the baby boom era peaked in 1957 at 122.9 live births for every 1,000 women aged 15 to 44 — that's 4.3 million babies that year alone.
30%
598 votes
The general fertility rate took a nosedive throughout the 1960s as the birth control pill became more widely available (6 million users in 1965 in the US) and women entered the workforce at much higher rates.
38%
750 votes
By 1970, the general fertility rate was 87.9 live births for every 1,000 women aged 15 to 44, and the much smaller Generation X was well underway.
33%
662 votes
Other (please specify)
1%
13 votes
Not Interested
38%
751 votes
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.54% | 11 | |
| NA | 0.05% | 1 |
| kids costly | 0.05% | 1 |
3.
3.
Even after the baby boom era was over, there was a ripple effect that influenced subsequent generations that continues to this day. Here are some additional facts. Which of them do you find interesting?
The baby boomer generation didn't reproduce at the same rapid clip as their parents, but because there were so many, they still produced a lot of offspring.
32%
647 votes
In 1990 — the year all those 1957 babies turned 33 — was another banner year for births, with 4.2 million millennials entering the world, despite a general fertility rate of just 70.9.
30%
600 votes
The 1960 census didn't just count a whole lot of kids — it also saw nearly as large an increase in older citizens. Between 1950 and 1960, the over-65 population grew 35%.
38%
752 votes
Other (please specify)
1%
13 votes
Not Interested
38%
763 votes
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.55% | 11 | |
| My only child was born in 1990, but I was 40 when she was born---a bit older than the average first-time mother. | 0.05% | 1 |
| NA | 0.05% | 1 |
4.
4.
Here are some additional facts about the baby boomers. Which of them do you find interesting?
Elders who had been born during a time of high fertility rates were now living much longer than the generations before them (currently to age 77 years) due to a shortage of world wars, improvements in health care, a focus on safety in air, and other forms of transportation, and better care of those who lived in poverty thanks to improved social programs.
38%
758 votes
In 1960 just 9% of the population was over 65 but by 2020, it was 16.5%. Meanwhile (if immigration is excluded) the number of young adults entering the workforce was shrinking at an ever increasing rate.
34%
678 votes
While birth rates eventually dropped, the share of senior citizens only continued to grow. This has caused a predictable (but ignored by governments) strain on the services needed by boomers in their twilight years.
37%
739 votes
Other (please specify)
1%
12 votes
Not Interested
36%
710 votes
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.46% | 10 | |
| NA | 0.09% | 2 |
5.
5.
As the general population is aging while the birthrate is falling, this puts a financial strain on social programs. The situation will only get worse unless there are changes to the demographics that drive society. Here are some options. Which of them are likely to be implemented?
Incentives will be offered by a mix of government and industry programs to make it more economically feasible to start families at a younger age and have more children overall. As well as financial inducements, there will have to be changes to the work environment to make it easier for workers with young children to remain in the workforce. Work provided daycare, more flexible work hours through job sharing is one option.
25%
502 votes
The attitude towards child rearing will have to change. Being a "contributing" parent needs to be given the same respect as being a contributing member of the workforce. They both are vital to the economy to maintain the tax base and maintain demand for goods and services.
30%
597 votes
Rather than being perceived as a threat to the workforce by taking away jobs, AI and other forms of mechanization may be vital as a way to fill the vacancies caused by a shrinking number of new entrants in the job market and offset a shift in focus to child rearing.
20%
393 votes
Immigration has been the traditional means of importing workers with job skills. This in turn causes a shortage of workers with skills and education in their own country which prevents those countries from improving their own economies and lifting them out of poverty. We need to generate our own workers rather than importing them.
24%
475 votes
Other (please specify)
2%
30 votes
Not Interested
41%
810 votes
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.90% | 18 | |
| Disagree with these assessments | 0.05% | 1 |
| ... | 0.05% | 1 |
| Baby Boomers, the most deceived generation in history. They still believe Saddam Hussein had WMD | 0.05% | 1 |
| Unfortunately, AI doesn't pay into social security | 0.05% | 1 |
| It has to become more affordable to have and raise kids. | 0.05% | 1 |
| none | 0.05% | 1 |
| Have you listened to our Governments ideas about immigration...more "White People" (Not my words...theirs) Perhaps the New white South Africans will fill the void. The rest of us can't help or consider helping even though we were born in America | 0.05% | 1 |
| Undecided | 0.05% | 1 |
| With the way the GOP is headed I can't see any of them being implemented. | 0.05% | 1 |
| Implement Logans Run | 0.05% | 1 |
| NA | 0.05% | 1 |
| Immigration is the solution, espacially when their countries of origin is unable to provide survival for those who are leaving. | 0.05% | 1 |
COMMENTS