China vs South Korea: Internet Users Comparison

Compare Internet Users (% of Population) of China and South Korea over time using official World Bank Open Data.

⚡ Quick Comparison Summary

In 2025, South Korea recorded Internet Users (% of Population) of 97.9% vs 91.6% for China (South Korea's Internet Users is 6.3% higher than China's.).

🇨🇳 China
91.6%
+5057.9% since 2000
🇰🇷 South Korea
97.9%
+119.0% since 2000
⚖️ Difference / Gap
6.3%
Latest Year: 2025
Internet Users (% of Population)
Progressive time series visualization
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Active Year
2000 2025
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China vs South Korea All Annual Observations (1990 – 2025)

Complete annual observations of Internet Users (% of Population) for China and South Korea reported by World Bank.

Year 🇨🇳 China Internet Users 🇰🇷 South Korea Internet Users Difference / Gap
2025 91.6% No data —
2024 92.0% 97.9% 5.9%
2023 90.6% 97.4% 6.8%
2022 75.6% 97.2% 21.6%
2021 73.1% 97.6% 24.5%
2020 70.1% 96.5% 26.5%
2019 64.1% 96.2% 32.1%
2018 65.4% 96.0% 30.7%
2017 54.3% 95.1% 40.8%
2016 53.2% 92.8% 39.6%
2015 50.3% 89.9% 39.6%
2014 47.9% 87.6% 39.7%
2013 45.8% 84.8% 39.0%
2012 42.3% 84.1% 41.8%
2011 38.3% 83.8% 45.5%
2010 34.3% 83.7% 49.4%
2009 28.9% 81.6% 52.7%
2008 22.6% 81.0% 58.4%
2007 16.0% 78.8% 62.8%
2006 10.5% 78.1% 67.6%
2005 8.5% 73.5% 65.0%
2004 7.3% 72.7% 65.4%
2003 6.2% 65.5% 59.3%
2002 4.6% 59.4% 54.8%
2001 2.6% 56.6% 54.0%
2000 1.8% 44.7% 42.9%
1999 0.7% 23.6% 22.9%
1998 0.2% 6.8% 6.6%
1997 0.0% 3.6% 3.6%
1996 0.0% 1.6% 1.6%
1995 0.0% 0.8% 0.8%
1994 0.0% 0.3% 0.3%
1993 0.0% 0.2% 0.2%
1992 No data 0.1% —
1991 No data 0.0% —
1990 No data 0.0% —

Internet Users Comparison

• Current Leader: In 2025, South Korea recorded Internet Users of 97.9%, while China recorded 91.6%, a difference of 6.3%.
• 1993 Baseline: China stood at 0.0% and South Korea stood at 0.2%.
• 2000–2025 Trajectory: China moved to 91.6% (+5057.9% since 2000), while South Korea moved to 97.9% (+119.0% since 2000).

Historical Trends

Over the available reporting period from 1993 to 2025, China and South Korea followed distinct developmental paths. In 1993, China recorded 0.0% compared to 0.2% for South Korea. By 2025, the values evolved to 91.6% and 97.9% respectively.

Key Differences

• Absolute Gap: Difference in 2025 is 6.3%.
• Highest Observed Year: Peak observed was 97.9% (South Korea in 2025).
• Growth Trajectory: Since 2000, China achieved +5057.9% since 2000, while South Korea achieved +119.0% since 2000.

About Internet Users (% of Population)

Internet users are individuals who have used the Internet (from any location) in the last 3 months.

This comparison uses standardized data from World Bank Open Data. Historical records allow analysts to trace long-term development trajectories for China and South Korea.

Frequently Asked Questions — Internet Users

What is the Internet Users of China?

In 2025, China's Internet Users was 91.6% according to official World Bank data.

What is the Internet Users of South Korea?

In 2024, South Korea's Internet Users was 97.9% according to official World Bank data.

Which country has a higher Internet Users?

In 2025, South Korea recorded a higher Internet Users of 97.9% compared to China's 91.6% (a difference of 6.3%).

How has Internet Users changed over time for China and South Korea?

From 2000 to 2025, China's Internet Users changed by +5057.9% since 2000, while South Korea's changed by +119.0% since 2000.

Explore China vs South Korea Interactively

Use TradeSeekho Growth Explorer to customize time ranges, play animated timeline visualizations, and compare China and South Korea across Population, Health, Education, and Technology metrics.

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Data Source and Methodology

Source: World Bank Open Data. Indicator Code: IT.NET.USER.ZS (Internet Users (% of Population)). Values represent annual internet users (% of population) for China and South Korea from 1993 through 2025. Missing reporting years are omitted without converting missing values to zero.