In 2016, Gen Z was age 4 to 18 in with an average age of 7

Sure, Gen Z (average age of 21 in 2025, spanning 13-28) is nostalgic for 2016: How Gen Z nostalgia for 2016 may revive Abercrombie & Fitch

Marlinarson told CNBC that many Gen-Zers look back at the time as one that was less performative and more authentic, particularly as it relates to social media.

“I think people see this era as a universal feeling of the world being lighter,” he said.

Gen Z at age 7 was so aware of the economy in 2016:

Joanne Hsu pointed to a more structural issue — the earlier period was defined by a strong economy post-financial crisis, underpinned by low interest rates and inflation.