A baby boom is defined as a period of increased birth rates relative to surrounding generations. Thus, a baby boomer refers to an individual born during such a time period. As a result of baby booms, there exists substantive economic development, as the children born require such items as food and clothes. This in turn can create a job market to meet the demands of the society.

The term is most often used to reference 'the' baby boom in the United States, namely the time after World War II, when the soldiers returned to their wives to start families (1946 - 1964)

See also

• The Post-World War II Baby Boom
• Demographics
• Generation gap

Usage examples

• BBC report on pensioners (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3659996.stm)

Preceded by: Silent Generation 1925 – 1945

Baby Boomers 1946 – 1964

Succeeded by: Generation X 1965 – 1981

de:Baby Boomer sv:Baby Boomer