UK artists took 12.6% of global music sales in 2011, up from 11.8% in 2010, accounting for one in eight of all artist albums sold.
The figures, which were calculated following a market analysis of album sales in the top seven markets of the world showed that sales in 2011 were boosted by Adele - who became the 4th British artist in five years to claim the best-selling artist album in the world - following in the footsteps of Amy Winehouse, Coldplay, and Susan Boyle.
Adele's 21 sold 18 million copies, accounting for 1.6% of all albums sold in the global music market. The Someone Like You singer's debut album 19 also climbed up the charts to become the 6th biggest seller of the year, three years after its release.
The Prime Minister, David Cameron, welcomed the figures at the start of Music is GREAT week, saying, "British music is loved all over the globe, and as a country we can be proud of the tremendous success of our music industry, which is a world leader. We are determined to support British creative businesses that generate jobs and opportunities for young people."
In the the USA, British artists - including Tinie Tempah, Florence + the Machine, Hugh Laurie and Mumford & Sons - accounted for a record share of albums sales this century with one in eight albums sold (11.7%) produced by a UK act.
In neighbouring Canada, the popularity of British artists soared by over 20% to 16.2%, accounting for one in six of every artist album sold.
In Europe, British acts bagged their biggest share of the UK market since 1997 taking 52.7% of artist album sales at home. The popularity of British music also increased in France, rising to 17.0% of the albums market, with releases from Muse, Seal, and James Blunt performing well.
In Asia, rock accounted for the lion's share of British sales in the Japanese market. Beady Eye's debut album and Coldplay's Mylo Xyloto were the biggest sellers by UK artists. New acts also made an impression with chart success for debutants Jessie J, The Vaccines and The View.
The best selling albums by British artists worldwide are as follows[Source: IFPI]:
1. Adele - 21
2. Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
3. Adele - 19
4. Amy Winehouse - Lioness: Hidden Treasures
5. Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
6. Susan Boyle - Someone to Watch Over Me
7. Jessie J - Who You Are
8. Amy Winehouse - Back to Black
9. Florence + the Machine - Ceremonials
10. Florence + the Machine - Lungs
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