Adoption of communication technologies in China
China: Adoption of communication technologies was 166.51 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
166.51 million
Change on year
down 7.2%
World rank
1st
of 212 countries
All-time high
367.79 million
in 2006
All-time low
1.69 million
in 1975
Years of data
50
1975–2024
Adoption of communication technologies in China, 1975–2024
Source: International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2024, adoption of communication technologies in China stood at 166.51 million.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 7.2% on the previous year and down 33.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adoption of communication technologies in China peaked at 367.79 million in 2006 and was at its lowest, 1.69 million, in 1975.
China ranks 1st of 212 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Adoption of communication technologies in China, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 1.69 million | — |
| 1976 | 1.76 million | +4.1% |
| 1977 | 1.83 million | +4.1% |
| 1978 | 1.93 million | +5.0% |
| 1979 | 2.03 million | +5.6% |
| 1980 | 2.14 million | +5.3% |
| 1981 | 2.22 million | +3.7% |
| 1982 | 2.34 million | +5.5% |
| 1983 | 2.51 million | +7.1% |
| 1984 | 2.77 million | +10.6% |
| 1985 | 3.12 million | +12.5% |
| 1986 | 3.50 million | +12.3% |
| 1987 | 3.91 million | +11.5% |
| 1988 | 4.73 million | +21.0% |
| 1989 | 5.68 million | +20.2% |
| 1990 | 6.85 million | +20.6% |
| 1991 | 8.45 million | +23.4% |
| 1992 | 11.47 million | +35.7% |
| 1993 | 17.33 million | +51.1% |
| 1994 | 27.30 million | +57.5% |
| 1995 | 40.71 million | +49.1% |
| 1996 | 54.95 million | +35.0% |
| 1997 | 70.31 million | +28.0% |
| 1998 | 87.42 million | +24.3% |
| 1999 | 108.72 million | +24.4% |
| 2000 | 144.83 million | +33.2% |
| 2001 | 180.37 million | +24.5% |
| 2002 | 214.22 million | +18.8% |
| 2003 | 262.75 million | +22.7% |
| 2004 | 311.76 million | +18.7% |
| 2005 | 350.44 million | +12.4% |
| 2006 | 367.79 million | +4.9% |
| 2007 | 365.64 million | -0.6% |
| 2008 | 340.36 million | -6.9% |
| 2009 | 313.73 million | -7.8% |
| 2010 | 294.38 million | -6.2% |
| 2011 | 285.12 million | -3.1% |
| 2012 | 278.15 million | -2.4% |
| 2013 | 266.99 million | -4.0% |
| 2014 | 249.43 million | -6.6% |
| 2015 | 231.00 million | -7.4% |
| 2016 | 206.62 million | -10.6% |
| 2017 | 193.76 million | -6.2% |
| 2018 | 192.09 million | -0.9% |
| 2019 | 191.03 million | -0.5% |
| 2020 | 181.91 million | -4.8% |
| 2021 | 180.70 million | -0.7% |
| 2022 | 179.41 million | -0.7% |
| 2023 | 179.41 million | +0.0% |
| 2024 | 166.51 million | -7.2% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 166.51 million is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 734,874, 226.6× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- China's 166.51 million is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 81,260, 2049.1× the median. (37 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 1.85 million | 1.69 million | 2.03 million | 5 |
| 1980s | 3.29 million | 2.14 million | 5.68 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 43.35 million | 6.85 million | 108.72 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 285.19 million | 144.83 million | 367.79 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 238.86 million | 191.03 million | 294.38 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 177.59 million | 166.51 million | 181.91 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near China
More reference data data for China
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 49.4 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 75.5 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 303.29 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 18.8 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 303.29 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 165.62 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 206.2 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 350.74 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 1,480 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 102.37 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adoption of communication technologies in China?
- Adoption of communication technologies in China was 166.51 million in 2024, according to International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest adoption of communication technologies recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 367.79 million in 2006.
- What is the lowest adoption of communication technologies recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.69 million in 1975.
- How does China rank for adoption of communication technologies?
- China ranks 1st out of 212 countries with data for 2024.
- Is adoption of communication technologies rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 33.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Adoption of communication technologies. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 50 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).