China and USA Internet users + dot coms compared

Graph: Number of Internet users in China and the USA

2008 Statistics:

Notes:

• The number of Internet users in China is growing explosively. The online population doubled from 123 million users in 2006 to 253 million users in 2008. In 2009, the online population in China will likely exceed the entire population of the USA (303 million).
• Compared with the USA, the penetration rate in China is still very low (19.1%) so there is still plenty of room for growth. Expect the online population in China to more than double the USA’s by 2013.

Graph: Age of Internet users in China and the USA (2008)

Notes:

• The online population in China is much younger than in the USA. About 70% of the Chinese online population is under 30 years old.
• The age difference is why entertainment (e.g. music, gaming) related websites are much more popular in China than in the USA.

Income (2008)

China GDP per capita (PPP): US$ 5,300
USA GDP per capita (PPP): US$ 45,800

• The average income in China is a fraction (about a tenth) of the average income in the USA.
• 74% of the online population in China earns less than 2000 RMB/month (about 293 US dollars/month).
• Therefore while the number of Internet users in China will exceed the number of users in the USA, in the near term American Internet users still have much greater net spending power.

Top Websites / Dot coms

Source: CNNIC, NetRatings/Nielson, InternetWorldStats, CIA World Factbook