A breakdown of IFPI’s global rankings and how 2025’s biggest artists stacked up.

The IFPI, founded in 1933, represents the global recording industry and publishes one of the most respected annual rankings in music: the Global Recording Artist of the Year. The organization weighs physical album sales, digital downloads, and streaming equivalents across platforms worldwide. In short, it measures true global impact.

Taylor Swift was named the #1 best-selling artist worldwide in 2025. She becomes the first artist in history to be named IFPI’s best-selling artist of the year worldwide on six occasions: 2014, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. This run was driven largely by her massive album Life of A Showgirl, which dominated music for months.

Stray Kids rank at #2 on IFPI’s list of the world’s best-selling artists in 2025. This may be the most surprising entry on the list. Backed by the success of KARMA, the group performed extremely well on a global scale.

Drake ranks at #3 on IFPI’s list of the world’s best-selling artists in 2025. He has now been the best-selling rapper worldwide for eleven consecutive years. Interestingly, the only album he dropped last year was his collaboration with PARTYNEXTDOOR, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U.

The Weeknd ranks at #4 on IFPI’s list of the world’s best-selling artists in 2025. Earlier in the year, he released Hurry Up Tomorrow. Beyond that, his catalog continues to perform exceptionally well worldwide.

Bad Bunny ranks at #5 on IFPI’s list of the world’s best-selling artists in 2025. Wrapping up another outstanding year, his Debí Tirar Más Fotos album led the way.

Kendrick Lamar ranks at #6 on IFPI’s list of the world’s best-selling artists in 2025. Like last year, Kendrick did not drop a single track in 2025. Most of this success came from his GNX album, particularly “luther,” along with “Not Like Us.”

Morgan Wallen ranks at #7 on IFPI’s list of the world’s best-selling artists in 2025. He saw major success with his I’m The Problem album, which features 37 tracks and spent multiple weeks at number one.

Sabrina Carpenter ranks at #8 on IFPI’s list of the world’s best-selling artists in 2025. Man’s Best Friend, released late last year, performed extremely well, led by “Manchild.”

Billie Eilish ranks at #9 on IFPI’s list of the world’s best-selling artists in 2025. She did not drop a single track this year, yet “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” continues to receive major global play.

Lady Gaga ranks at #10 on IFPI’s list of the world’s best-selling artists in 2025. She saw strong success with her MAYHEM project, while her single “Die With A Smile” featuring Bruno Mars moved significant units.

Quincy

Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.