Internet Users: China
China's internet users is currently 91.6 % of population as of 2025. # China Internet Users China's internet penetration reached 91.
Current (2025)
91.6 % of population
-0.4% y/y
Peak (2024)
92 % of population
Low (1990)
0 % of population
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1990–2025 · 34 pts
Internet Users — China
1990 — 2025
Internet Users — China
Analysis# China Internet Users
China's internet penetration reached 91.6% of the population in 2025, approaching the all-time peak of 92% recorded in 2024. This represents a dramatic transformation from 1990, when virtually no internet access existed in the country. Over 35 years, China evolved from zero connectivity to near-universal digital access, fundamentally reshaping its economy and society.
The most striking acceleration occurred between 2022 and 2023, when penetration jumped from 75.6% to 90.6%—a gain of 15 percentage points in a single year. This surge reflects the completion of major infrastructure investments and rapid smartphone adoption across rural regions. The slight decline to 91.6% in 2025 suggests stabilization near saturation levels, indicating that future growth will likely remain modest as the country approaches maximum feasible internet coverage.
Historical Data
34 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 91.6 % of population | -0.43% |
| 2024 | 92 % of population | +1.55% |
| 2023 | 90.6 % of population | +19.82% |
| 2022 | 75.611 % of population | +3.50% |
| 2021 | 73.053 % of population | +4.28% |
| 2020 | 70.053 % of population | +9.32% |
| 2019 | 64.081 % of population | -1.95% |
| 2018 | 65.358 % of population | +20.36% |
| 2017 | 54.3 % of population | +2.07% |
| 2016 | 53.2 % of population | +5.77% |
| 2015 | 50.3 % of population | +5.01% |
| 2014 | 47.9 % of population | +4.59% |
| 2013 | 45.8 % of population | +8.27% |
| 2012 | 42.3 % of population | +10.44% |
| 2011 | 38.3 % of population | +11.66% |
| 2010 | 34.3 % of population | +18.69% |
| 2009 | 28.9 % of population | +27.88% |
| 2008 | 22.6 % of population | +41.25% |
| 2007 | 16 % of population | +52.05% |
| 2006 | 10.523 % of population | +23.47% |
Show all 34 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 8.523 % of population | +16.75% |
| 2004 | 7.3 % of population | +17.74% |
| 2003 | 6.2 % of population | +34.90% |
| 2002 | 4.596 % of population | +74.09% |
| 2001 | 2.64 % of population | +48.65% |
| 2000 | 1.776 % of population | +150.85% |
| 1999 | 0.708 % of population | +318.93% |
| 1998 | 0.169 % of population | +428.13% |
| 1997 | 0.032 % of population | +146.15% |
| 1996 | 0.013 % of population | +160.00% |
| 1995 | 0.005 % of population | +400.00% |
| 1994 | 0.001 % of population | — |
| 1993 | 0 % of population | — |
| 1990 | 0 % of population | — |
Related Data
Other Metrics
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Demographics
People & population data