The term “millennial” --like “baby boomer” -- is defined in different ways. It is sometimes used to refer to people born after 1980. Thus a millennial, by definition, is 35 years old or younger. Pew defines the term as teens and 20-somethings coming of age politically, economically and socially in the new millennium. But it is also true that this generation has come of age during the worst economic crisis in decades.
Even so, Americans are more likely to see themselves as masters of their fate, whereas Europeans view themselves as victims. Consider that 73 percent of American millennials say working hard is important to getting ahead in life; 58 percent say the same about getting a good education.
Many Europeans are not so certain that education and work will make a difference. Pew points out that Germans have the reputation of being the hardest workers in Europe. But in this survey only 44 percent said working hard is important to getting ahead, and 46 percent thought education was important.
In addition, only 27 percent of Greek, 21 percent of French and 36 percent of Polish millennials believe education is important to getting ahead.
In related research, Pew reported that in 2013, the last year during which data was available, millennials accounted for 24 percent of the adult population in the 28-member European Union. In the U.S., this generation represented 27 percent of the adult population in 2014.
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