Share of the population using the Internet in China
China: Share of the population using the Internet was 91.6% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Share of the population using the Internet in China, 1990–2025
Source: World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database - International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in % of population.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of the population using the internet in China is 91.6%, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 0.4% on the previous year and up 82.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of the population 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.
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 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)
- Patent applications, residents 1.43 million (2021)
- Research and development expenditure 2.6% (2023)
- Number of people using the Internet 1.04 billion users (2021)
- Landline Internet subscriptions per 100 people 47.19 per 100 people (2024)
- Landline Internet subscriptions 669.83 million (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of the population using the internet in China?
- Share of the population using the internet in China was 91.6% in 2025, according to World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database - International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of the population using the internet recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 92.0% in 2024.
- What is the lowest share of the population using the internet recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1990.
- How does China rank for share of the population using the internet?
- China ranks 51st out of 208 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of the population 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), via World Bank (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of the population using the Internet. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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CSV · JSON — 34 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Share of the population who used the Internet in the last three months.