The UK’s share of album sales worldwide grew again last year to a record share of the global market according to the British Phonographic Industry – thanks largely to the success of acts such as Adele and One Direction.
Figures show Adele’s ‘21‘ was the biggest selling album in the world during 2102, meaning UK acts have now enjoyed the world’s top-selling album for five of the past six years.
In total, the combined sales of UK acts across the world grew to 13.3% from 12.6% in 2011. “Music is fundamental to Britain’s identity as a nation and the world is singing with us,” Geoff Taylor, BPI Chief Executive, remarks.
British musicians have also witnessed continued success in the States, with one in seven albums sold in the US coming from a UK act – also their biggest share to-date. Adele, One Direction and Mumford & Sons had four of the five biggest-selling albums in America last year.
Meanwhile, nn home soil British acts accounted for 51.9% of all albums sold.
