China’s Internet Usage Nears 1.1 Billion, Fuelled by Short Video Apps and Mobile Payments: A 2024 Mid-Year Analysis

The number of internet users in China is close to 1.1 billion, fueled by the popularity of short video applications and mobile transactions. According to a government study, over one-third of new Chinese internet users in the first six months of 2024 were attracted to brief video apps.

The latest government data reveals that the number of internet users in China nearly reached 1.1 billion by the end of June, marking an increase of 7.42 million since December. A host of online entertainment choices has succeeded in attracting both older and younger demographics, contributing to the growth of the world's biggest online community.

As of June, approximately 78% of individuals living in mainland China had internet access, based on a report published by the state-run China Internet Network Information Centre (CNNIC) on Thursday. The report also indicated that over 37% of new internet users were attracted to apps for short videos.

The primary motivations for internet use in China were fun and social requirements. Approximately 95% of the country's internet users had watched brief videos available on well-known platforms such as ByteDance's Douyin, its competitor Kuaishou, and Tencent Holdings' multifunctional app, WeChat.

Nearly half of the individuals who started using the internet during the initial six months of this year were youths aged 10 to 19 years, making up 49 percent of the total. Additionally, seniors who are 50 years or older made up 36 percent.