Number of internet users in China 2013-2023
The largest online community
In 2022, China accounted for about one-fifth of the 5.4 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.