China vs United States: Number of internet users
China
1.04 billion
in 2021
United States
310.46 million
in 2021
China rank
1st
United States rank
3rd
Number of internet users over time
- China
- United States
How they compare
China currently reports 1.04 billion against 310.46 million in United States, a difference of 731.60 million.
That makes China's figure about 3.4 times United States's.
The two have swapped places 1 time across 30 shared years of data; in 1990 it was United States ahead.
China ranks 1st and United States ranks 3rd of 207 countries.
Across the 4 decades both report, China averaged higher in 2 and United States in 2.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | China | United States | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 1.46 million | 41.51 million | 40.05 million | United States |
| 2000s | 144.27 million | 187.57 million | 43.30 million | United States |
| 2010s | 691.61 million | 255.66 million | 435.94 million | China |
| 2020s | 1.02 billion | 308.56 million | 711.98 million | China |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher number of internet users, China or United States?
- China, at 1.04 billion against 310.46 million in United States as of 2021.
- What is the difference in number of internet users between China and United States?
- 731.60 million, with China ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for China and United States?
- 30 years are reported by both, from 1990 to 2021.
- How do China and United States rank globally for number of internet users?
- China ranks 1st and United States ranks 3rd of 207 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Our World in Data, published as Number of internet users. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.