1.1 billion internet users, the constantly growing Chinese digital ecosystem

China confirms its leading position in the global digital landscape. According to a recent report by the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC), the number of internet users in the country has reached 1.1 billion by December 2024, recording an increase of 16 million compared to the previous year. This milestone, achieved 30 years after the country was fully connected to the global network, highlights the vast potential of China’s digital economy and its key role in technological innovation.

Internet penetration in China has reached 78.6% of the populationdemonstrating how the internet is now an integral part of citizens’ daily lives. This digital ecosystem, characterized by advanced technological infrastructures, is fueling exponential growth of the digital economy.

E-commerce continues to record record numbers. By the end of 2024, the number of online payment users exceeded 1 billion, while 974 million Chinese citizens made purchases online, an increase of 59.5 million from the previous year. “China continues to lead the world in both online retail sales and mobile payment penetration“, the report reads.

Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics of China confirms this trend: in 2024, online retail sales reached 15.52 trillion yuan (about 2.15 trillion US dollars), up 7.2% from the previous year. Notably, online sales of physical goods grew 6.5% year over year, accounting for 26.8% of total retail sales of consumer goods.

Online tourism, a key sector of China’s rapidly recovering economy, has seen significant growth. At the end of 2024, the number of users booking travel online reached 548 million, an increase of 39.35 million compared to the previous year, representing 49.5% of the entire internet user base.