Individuals using the Internet (% of population) in China
China: Individuals using the Internet (% of population) was 91.6% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Individuals using the Internet in China, 1990–2025
Source: World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database, International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Measured in % of population.
Analysis
In 2025, individuals using the internet in China stood at 91.6%.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.4% on the previous year and up 82.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, individuals using the internet in China peaked at 92.0% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1990.
China ranks 51st of 208 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Individuals using the Internet (% of population) in China, year by year
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 0.0% | — |
| 1993 | 0.0% | — |
| 1994 | 0.0% | +592.3% |
| 1995 | 0.0% | +323.1% |
| 1996 | 0.0% | +164.6% |
| 1997 | 0.0% | +147.3% |
| 1998 | 0.2% | +421.6% |
| 1999 | 0.7% | +318.9% |
| 2000 | 1.8% | +150.8% |
| 2001 | 2.6% | +48.6% |
| 2002 | 4.6% | +74.1% |
| 2003 | 6.2% | +34.9% |
| 2004 | 7.3% | +17.7% |
| 2005 | 8.5% | +16.8% |
| 2006 | 10.5% | +23.5% |
| 2007 | 16.0% | +52.0% |
| 2008 | 22.6% | +41.3% |
| 2009 | 28.9% | +27.9% |
| 2010 | 34.3% | +18.7% |
| 2011 | 38.3% | +11.7% |
| 2012 | 42.3% | +10.4% |
| 2013 | 45.8% | +8.3% |
| 2014 | 47.9% | +4.6% |
| 2015 | 50.3% | +5.0% |
| 2016 | 53.2% | +5.8% |
| 2017 | 54.3% | +2.1% |
| 2018 | 65.4% | +20.4% |
| 2019 | 64.1% | -2.0% |
| 2020 | 70.1% | +9.3% |
| 2021 | 73.1% | +4.3% |
| 2022 | 75.6% | +3.5% |
| 2023 | 90.6% | +19.8% |
| 2024 | 92.0% | +1.5% |
| 2025 | 91.6% | -0.4% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 91.6% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 81.5%, 1.1× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- China's 91.6% is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 80.5%, 1.1× the median. (35 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Individuals using the Internet (% of population) in China changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | +592.3% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 1998 | +421.6% | 0.0% | 0.2% |
| 1995 | +323.1% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 1999 | +318.9% | 0.2% | 0.7% |
| 1996 | +164.6% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 0.1% | 0.0% | 0.7% | 8 |
| 2000s | 10.9% | 1.8% | 28.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 49.6% | 34.3% | 65.4% | 10 |
| 2020s | 82.2% | 70.1% | 92.0% | 6 |
Countries ranked near China
More infrastructure data for China
- Mobile cellular subscriptions 1.87 billion (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions 131.75 per 100 people (2024)
- Fixed telephone subscriptions 166.51 million (2024)
- Fixed telephone subscriptions 11.73 per 100 people (2024)
- Fixed telephone subscriptions, per capita 0.1182 units per person (2024)
- Fixed telephone subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Fixed telephone subscriptions, annual growth rate -7.19 % change on previous year (2024)
- Fixed telephone subscriptions, gaps filled 166.51 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions, per capita 1.33 units per person (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is individuals using the internet in China?
- Individuals using the internet in China was 91.6% in 2025, according to World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database, International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
- What is the highest individuals using the internet recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 92.0% in 2024.
- What is the lowest individuals using the internet recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1990.
- How does China rank for individuals using the internet?
- China ranks 51st out of 208 countries with data for 2025.
- Is individuals using the internet rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 82.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), published as part of Individuals using the Internet (% of population). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Internet users are individuals who have used the Internet (from any location) in the last 3 months. The Internet can be used via a computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant, games machine, digital TV etc.