Number of people using the Internet in China
China: Number of people using the Internet was 1.04 billion users in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Number of people using the Internet in China, 1990–2021
Source: World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database - International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026); Population based on various sources (2024) – with minor processing by Our World in. Measured in users.
Analysis
In 2021, number of people using the internet in China stood at 1.04 billion users. That is the highest value across all 30 years on record.
The figure is up 4.3% on the previous year and up 100.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of people using the internet in China peaked at 1.04 billion users in 2021 and was at its lowest, 0 users, in 1990.
China ranks 1st of 207 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 1.46 million users | 0 users | 8.92 million users | 8 |
| 2000s | 144.27 million users | 22.55 million users | 387.99 million users | 10 |
| 2010s | 691.61 million users | 463.59 million users | 927.44 million users | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.02 billion users | 999.03 million users | 1.04 billion users | 2 |
Countries ranked near China
More science & technology data for China
- Scientific and technical journal articles 932,712 (2023)
- Mobile phone subscriptions 1.87 billion (2024)
- Mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people 131.75 per 100 people (2024)
- Mobile and landline phone subscriptions per 100 people 131.75 per 100 people (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 159,019 (2021)
- Share of the population using the Internet 91.6% (2025)
- Patent applications, residents 1.43 million (2021)
- Research and development expenditure 2.6% (2023)
- Landline Internet subscriptions per 100 people 47.19 per 100 people (2024)
- Landline Internet subscriptions 669.83 million (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number of people using the internet in China?
- Number of people using the internet in China was 1.04 billion users in 2021, according to World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database - International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026); Population based on various sources (2024) – with minor processing by Our World in.
- What is the highest number of people using the internet recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 1.04 billion users in 2021.
- What is the lowest number of people using the internet recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 users in 1990.
- How does China rank for number of people using the internet?
- China ranks 1st out of 207 countries with data for 2021.
- Is number of people using the internet rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 100.0%. 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), via World Bank (2026); Population based on various sources (2024) – with minor processing by Our World in, published as part of Number of people using the Internet. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The number of individuals using the Internet.