Number of internet users in China 2005-2024
In 2024, China reported adding 16 million new users to its massive 1.1 billion internet population. The first half-year data in 2024 revealed that nearly half of the new internet users were between 10 and 18 years old, while a third were older adults aged above 50 years.
The largest online community
In 2023, China accounted for about one-fifth of the 5.5 billion internet users worldwide. However, compared to its total population, China’s internet penetration rate is lower than in other Asian countries. Penetration rates in both South Korea and Japan were extensively higher.
The market potentials
Internet usage in China is further characterized by a large regional discrepancy. In rural regions, the internet access rate is much lower than the national level. On the other side, the Chinese market became a mobile-first nation. Since 2014, more Chinese people have accessed the internet via mobile device than computers. The number of mobile internet users in China increased steadily over the previous decade.
