Living standards and access to education, health services, sanitation and electricity have soared during those five decades of sovereignty.

ECONOMIST: Malaysia at 50

While most Millennials were too young to own stocks or real estate during those market crashes and Baby Boomers enjoyed decades of growth in both assets throughout the 80s and 90s, many Gen Xers had the misfortune of starting their investing just as both markets were peaking.

FORBES: Why Generation X Is In Trouble And What They Can Do About It

Those who enter the work force during downturns tend to go for decades earning lower wages than their counterparts who started their careers when the economy was healthy.

WSJ: Private Sector Lifts Grads' Job Outlook