Twenties

The term twenties can refer to two different concepts. It can denote the decade spanning the years 1920 to 1929, commonly called the 1920s or the Roaring Twenties, or it can describe people aged twenty through twenty-nine. Both uses are common in historical and demographic writing.

As a historical decade, the twenties were marked by postwar recovery and rapid social change in many countries. In the United States and parts of Europe, the period saw economic growth in the early years, followed by instability after the stock market crash of 1929. The era is associated with cultural developments such as Jazz music, flapper fashion, cinema, and the spread of modern advertising. Technological advances included mass production, electrification, and the growing influence of automobiles. Architecture and design were shaped by Art Deco, while radio and film helped create a more urban popular culture. Politically, the decade featured varied trajectories, with periods of liberal democracy, authoritarian movements forming in some regions, and significant international treaties and labor movements.

As a demographic term, the twenties describe those aged twenty to twenty-nine. This life stage is often associated with education and early career development, experimentation with personal and social identities, and changes in family formation patterns. Experiences in the twenties are influenced by economic conditions, gender norms, and regional differences, resulting in substantial variation across societies.

Usage note: The plural twenties is also used in phrases like “the twenties,” “the early twenties,” or “late twenties.”