List of best-selling albums by country
This is a list of the best selling albums by country based on the information and certifications provided by the respective national charts.
Argentina
| Year | Artist | Album | Label | Sales | Certification |
| 1991 | Luis Miguel | Romance | WEA Latina | 960,000 | 16 × platinum |
| 1999 | Guns N' Roses | Use Your Illusion II | Universal | 720,000 | 12 × platinum |
| 1997 | Luis Miguel | Romances | WEA Latina | 660,000 | 11 × platinum |
| 1999 | Guns N' Roses | Use Your Illusion I | Universal | 600,000 | 10 × platinum |
Australia
| Rank | Year | Album | Artist | Award | Sales | Source |
| 1 | 1977 | Bat Out of Hell | Meat Loaf | 25 × Platinum | 1,750,000 | |
| 2 | 1986 | Whispering Jack | John Farnham | 24 × Platinum | 1,680,000 | |
| 3 | 1997 | Come on Over | Shania Twain | 18 × Platinum | 1,260,000 | |
| 4 | 2003 | Innocent Eyes | Delta Goodrem | 15 × Platinum | 1,200,000 | |
| 5 | 1985 | Brothers in Arms | Dire Straits | 17 × Platinum | 1,190,000 | |
| 5 | 1992 | ABBA | 17× Platinum | 1,190,000 |
Austria
| Year | Title | Artist | Certification | Shipments |
| 1982 | Thriller | Michael Jackson | 8x Platinum | 400,000 |
| 2002 | Mensch | Herbert Grönemeyer | 8x Platinum | 320,000 |
| 2013 | Farbenspiel | Helene Fischer | 18x Platinum | 270,000 |
| 1985 | Geld oder Leben! | Erste Allgemeine Verunsicherung | 5x Platinum | 250,000 |
| 1985 | Grenzenlos | STS | 5x Platinum | 250,000 |
Brazil
Canada
| Rank | Year | Title | Artist | Certification | Units Sales |
| 1 | 1982 | Thriller | Michael Jackson | 2x Diamond | 2,455,000 |
| 2 | 1997 | Come on Over | Shania Twain | Diamond | 1,930,000 |
| 3 | 2011 | 21 | Adele | Diamond | 1,500,000 |
| 4 | 1997 | Let's Talk About Love | Celine Dion | Diamond | 1,490,000 |
| 5 | 1992 | The Bodyguard Soundtrack | Whitney Houston | Diamond | 1,318,000 |
Chile
| Rank | Year | Artist | Album | Sales |
| 1 | 1993 | Illapu | :es:En estos días|En estos días | 175,000 |
| 2 | 2003 | :es:María José Quintanilla|María José Quintanilla | :es:México Lindo y Querido |Mexico lindo y querido | 160,000 |
| 3 | 1984 | Los Prisioneros | :es:La voz de los '80|La voz de los '80 | 101,000 |
| 4 | 1986 | Los Prisioneros | Pateando piedras | 100,000 |
| 4 | 1989 | Sexual Democracia | :es:Buscando chilenos|Buscando chilenos | 100,000 |
| 4 | 1990 | Los Prisioneros | Corazones | 100,000 |
| 4 | 1991 | La Ley | Doble Opuesto | 100,000 |
| 4 | 1995 | Los Tres | MTV Unplugged | 100,000 |
| 4 | 2010 | Los Vásquez | :es:Contigo pop y cebolla|Contigo pop y cebolla | 100,000 |
China
| Physical album | |
| Digital album |
Colombia
| Rank | Year | Title | Artist | Sales |
| 1 | 1993 | Clásicos de la Provincia | Carlos Vives | 1,200,000 |
| 2 | 1998 | 30 Grandes Éxitos | Diomedes Díaz | 1,000,000 |
| 3 | 1996 | Pies Descalzos | Shakira | 1,000,000 |
| 4 | 1996 | Mar Adentro | Donato y Estefano | 800,000 |
| 5 | 1993 | Título de Amor | Diomedes Díaz & Juancho Rois | 600,000 |
Croatia
Czech Republic
Finland
| Rank | Year | Artist | Album | Sales |
| 1 | 1995 | Jari Sillanpää | Jari Sillanpää | 272,942 |
| 2 | 1996 | Eppu Normaali | Repullinen hittejä | 244,031 |
| 3 | 1988 | Kirka | Surun pyyhit silmistäni | 214,196 |
| 4 | 1985 | Dingo | Kerjäläisten valtakunta | 190,894 |
| 5 | 1992 | Joel Hallikainen | Joel Hallikainen | 178,654 |
France
| Rank | Year | Artist | Album | Certification | Sales |
| 1 | 1995 | Celine Dion | D'eux | Diamond | 4,235,000 |
| 2 | 1982 | Michael Jackson | Thriller | Diamond | 3,760,000 |
| 3 | 1994 | Francis Cabrel | Samedi soir sur la Terre | Diamond | 3,385,000 |
| 4 | 1997 | Andrea Bocelli | Romanza | Diamond | 2,855,000 |
| 5 | 1998 | Musical | Notre-Dame de Paris | Diamond | 2,830,000 |
Germany
| Rank | Year | Title | Artist | Certification | Shipments |
| 1 | 2002 | Mensch | Herbert Grönemeyer | 21 × Gold | 3.15 million |
| 2 | 1989 | ...But Seriously | Phil Collins | 6 × Platinum | 3 million |
| 3 | 1984 | 4630 Bochum | Herbert Grönemeyer | 11 × Gold | 2.75 million |
| 4 | 1992 | ABBA | 10 × Gold | 2.5 million | |
| 5 | 1991 | We Can't Dance | Genesis | 5 × Platinum | 2.5 million |
India and Pakistan
The following list includes both Indian and Pakistani albums, due to their music industries being closely linked.| Rank | Year | Album | Artist | Sales | Source |
| 1 | 1984 | Young Tarang | Nazia and Zoheb | 40,000,000 | |
| 2 | 1995 | Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge | Jatin–Lalit | 25,000,000 | |
| 3 | 1990 | Aashiqui | Nadeem–Shravan | 20,000,000 | |
| 3 | 1995 | Bolo Ta Ra Ra.. | Daler Mehndi | 20,000,000 | |
| 5 | 1995 | Billo De Ghar | Abrar-ul-Haq | 16,000,000 | |
| 6 | 1995 | Bombay | A. R. Rahman | 15,000,000 | |
| 7 | 1981 | Disco Deewane | Nazia and Zoheb | 14,000,000 | |
| 8 | 1997 | Dil Toh Pagal Hai | Uttam Singh | 12,500,000 | |
| 9 | 1994 | Hum Aapke Hain Kaun | Raamlaxman | 12,000,000 | |
| 10 | 1996 | Raja Hindustani | Nadeem–Shravan | 11,000,000 |
Indonesia
| Rank | Year | Artist | Album | Sales | Sources |
| 1 | 1995 | Nike Ardilla | :id:Sandiwara Cinta|Sandiwara Cinta | 5,000,000 | |
| 2 | 1990 | Nike Ardilla | :id:Bintang Kehidupan|Bintang Kehidupan | 4,000,000 | |
| 3 | 2004 | Peterpan | Bintang di Surga | 3,200,000 | |
| 4 | 2001 | Padi | :id:Sesuatu Yang Tertunda|Sesuatu Yang Tertunda | 2,000,000 | |
| 5 | 2010 | Indah Dewi Pertiwi | :id:Hipnotis|Hipnotis | 2,000,000 | |
| 6 | 2012 | Noah | Seperti Seharusnya | 1,900,000 | |
| 7 | 2000 | Jamrud | :id:Ningrat|Ningrat | 1,800,000 | |
| 8 | 2000 | Sheila on 7 | Kisah Klasik Untuk Masa Depan | 1,700,000 | |
| 9 | 2000 | Dewa 19 | :id:Bintang Lima|Bintang Lima | 1,700,000 | |
| 10 | 2011 | Rossa | The Best of Rossa | 1,400,000 |
Ireland
| Rank | Year | Album | Artist | Sales | Certification |
| 1 | 1997 | Talk on Corners | The Corrs | 300,000 | 20× Platinum |
| 2 | 2011 | 21 | Adele | 270,000 | 18× Platinum |
| 3 | 2009 | Crazy Love | Michael Bublé | 225,000 | 15× Platinum |
| 4 | 1995 | Forgiven, Not Forgotten | The Corrs | 195,000 | 13× Platinum |
| 5 | 2008 | The Love Album | Westlife | 150,000 | 10× Platinum |
| 6 | 1996 | Spice | Spice Girls | 135,000 | 9× Platinum |
| 6 | 2008 | The Fame / The Fame Monster | Lady Gaga | 135,000 | 9× Platinum |
| 7 | 1992 | Unplugged | Eric Clapton | 120,000 | 8× Platinum |
| 7 | 1999 | Unplugged | The Corrs | 120,000 | 8× Platinum |
| 7 | 2005 | X&Y | Coldplay | 120,000 | 8× Platinum |
| 7 | 2005 | Face to Face | Westlife | 120,000 | 8× Platinum |
| 7 | 2008 | The Circus | Take That | 120,000 | 8× Platinum |
| 7 | 2009 | I Dreamed a Dream | Susan Boyle | 120,000 | 8× Platinum |
Italy
| Rank | Year | Artist | Album | Sales | Sources |
| 1 | 1985 | Claudio Baglioni | La vita è adesso | 3,800,000 | – |
| 2 | 1998 | Mina, Adriano Celentano | Mina Celentano | 2,365,000 | – |
| 3 | 1999 | Adriano Celentano | Io non-so parlar d'amore | 2,360,000 | – |
| 4 | 1999 | Lunapop | ...Squerez? | 1,870,000 | – |
| 5 | 1981 | Claudio Baglioni | Strada facendo | 1,850,000 | – |
Japan
Sales figure derived from data that the Oricon provided in 2007.| Rank | Year | Title | Artist | Sales |
| 1 | 1999 | First Love | Hikaru Utada | 7,672,000 |
| 2 | 1998 | B'z The Best "Pleasure" | B'z | 5,135,922 |
| 3 | 1997 | Review | Glay | 4,875,980 |
| 4 | 2001 | Distance | Hikaru Utada | 4,469,135 |
| 5 | 1998 | B'z The Best "Treasure" | B'z | 4,438,742 |
Malaysia
Sales figure derived from various sources.| Rank | Year | Title | Artist | Claimed sales | Certifications |
| 1 | 1996 | Puji-Pujian | Raihan | 1,000,000 – 1,500,000 | > 66 × Platinum |
| 2 | 1994 | USA | Ella | 500,000 – 900,000 | > 33 × Platinum |
| 3 | 1994 | Bisa Berbisa | U.K's | 500,000 – 900,000 | > 33 × Platinum |
| 4 | 1996 | Dang Dang Dut | Amelina, Iwan & Sheeda | 500,000 – 900,000 | > 33 × Platinum |
| 5 | 1997 | Siti Nurhaliza | Siti Nurhaliza | 500,000 – 900,000 | > 33 × Platinum |
| 6 | 1996 | Kau Kunci Cintaku | Ramlah Ram | 500,000 – 800,000 | > 33 × Platinum |
| 7 | 1992 | 30110 | Ella | 500,000 – 800,000 | > 33 × Platinum |
| 8 | 1997 | Brutal | XPDC | 500,000 – 800,000 | > 33 × Platinum |
| 9 | 1993 | The Goodbye Kiss | Jacky Cheung | 500,000 – 800,000 | > 33 × Platinum |
| 10 | 1995 | Kesan Terbukti | Kumpulan Slam | 400,000 – 800,000 | > 26 × Platinum |
| 11 | 1997 | Cindai | Siti Nurhaliza | 400,000 – 800,000 | > 26 × Platinum |
| 12 | 1998 | Adiwarna | Siti Nurhaliza | 400,000 – 800,000 | > 26 × Platinum |
| 13 | 1995 | Tajam Menikam | U.K's | 300,000 – 600,000 | > 20 × Platinum |
| 14 | 1999 | The Best of Awie | Awie | 300,000 – 600,000 | > 20 × Platinum |
| 15 | 1996 | Kembali Merindu | Kumpulan Slam | 300,000 – 600,000 | > 20 × Platinum |
| 16 | 1996 | Terbaik Slam | Kumpulan Slam | 300,000 – 600,000 | > 20 × Platinum |
| 17 | 2009 | Thank You Allah | Maher Zain | 300,000 – 500,000 | > 20 × Platinum |
| 18 | 1989 | Fenomena | Search | 300,000 – 500,000 | > 20 × Platinum |
| 19 | 1999 | E.M.A.S | Siti Nurhaliza | 250,000 – 400,000 | > 16 × Platinum |
| 20 | 1990 | Karisma | Search | 250,000 – 400,000 | > 16 × Platinum |
Mexico
Nine of the ten best-selling albums of all time in Mexico are from national artists.| Rank | Year | Title | Artist | Sales |
| 1 | 1984 | Las mañanitas | 20,000,000 | |
| 2 | 1984 | Recuerdos, Vol. II | Juan Gabriel | 8,000,000 |
| 3 | 1982 | 20 Triunfadoras | José José | 7,500,000 |
| 4 | 1991 | Romance | Luis Miguel | 7,250,000 |
| 5 | 1986 | Hoy platiqué con mi gallo | Vicente Fernandez | 7,000,000 |
New Zealand
| Rank | Album | Artist | Released | Number of times certified platinum |
| 1 | ABBA | 1975 | 24 | |
| 1 | Brothers in Arms | Dire Straits | 1985 | 24 |
| 3 | Come on Over | 1997 | 21 | |
| 4 | Legend | Bob Marley and the Wailers | 1984 | 18 |
| 5 | Bat Out of Hell | Meat Loaf | 1977 | 17 |
Philippines
The Philippine Association of the Record Industry or PARI is the organization responsible for awarding record certifications in the Philippines since 1999. Here are the top 10 of the 40 best-selling albums in the country.| Released before PARI began awarding certifications | |
| Released after PARI began awarding certifications |
Portugal
Romania
South Korea
| Rank | Artist | Title | Year | Claimed sales | Sources |
| 1 | BTS | ' | 2020 | 4,179,035 | |
| 2 | BTS | ' | 2019 | 3,718,230 | |
| 3 | Kim Gun-mo | Wrongful Encounter | 1995 | 3,300,000 | |
| 4 | Jo Kwan-woo | Memory | 1995 | 3,000,000 | |
| 4 | Kim Jong-hwan | For Love | 1997 | 3,000,000 | |
| 5 | Lee Moon-sae | When Love Passes By | 1987 | 2,850,000 | |
| 6 | Lee Moon-sae | Standing Under the Shade of a Roadside Tree | 1988 | 2,580,000 | |
| 7 | Kim Jong-hwan | Reason for Existence | 1996 | 2,500,000 | |
| 8 | Shin Seung-hun | To Heaven | 1996 | 2,470,000 | |
| 9 | Byun Jin-sub | Back To You | 1989 | 2,400,000 | |
| 9 | Seo Taiji and Boys | Seo Taiji and Boys IV | 1995 | 2,400,000 |
Serbia
- The following statistic doesn't show actual sales figures, but the circulation of the albums released since June 2006
| Rank | Year | Artist | Album | Circulation | Record label |
| 1 | 2007 | Seka Aleksić | "Kraljica" | 300,000 | Grand Production |
| 1 | 2008 | Lepa Brena | "Uđi slobodno..." | 300,000 | Grand Production |
| 2 | 2008 | Jelena Karleuša | "JK Revolution" | 280,000 | City Records |
Spain
| Rank | Year | Artist | Album | Certification | Sales | Sources |
| 1 | 1997 | Alejandro Sanz | Más | 22 × Platinum | 2,200,000 | |
| 2 | 1994 | Laura Pausini | Laura Pausini | 11× Platinum | 1,300,000 | |
| 3 | 1988 | Mecano | Descanso Dominical | 13 × Platinum | 1,300,000 | |
| 3 | 2000 | Alejandro Sanz | El Alma al Aire | 13 × Platinum | 1,300,000 | |
| 3 | 2002 | David Bisbal | Corazón latino | 13 × Platinum | 1,300,000 | |
| 6 | 2002 | Luciano Pavarotti | Tutto Pavarotti | 12 × Platinum | 1,200,000 | |
| 6 | 2000 | La Oreja de Van Gogh | El viaje de Copperpot | 11 × Platinum | 1,200,000 |
Switzerland
Taiwan
| Rank | Year | Title | Artist | Sales |
| 1 | 1993 | The Goodbye Kiss | Jacky Cheung | 1,360,000 |
| 2 | 1997 | Bad Boy | A-mei | 1,250,000 |
| 3 | 1995 | True Love Compilation | Jacky Cheung | 1,220,000 |
| 4 | 1992 | The Words After Drunk | Jody Chiang | 1,160,000 |
| 5 | 1997 | James Horner | 1,100,000 | |
| 6 | 1996 | Sisters | A-mei | 1,080,000 |
| 7 | 1996 | How Could I Forget You? | Jacky Cheung | 1,050,000 |
| 8 | 1998 | Love Like Pacific Ocean | Richie Jen | 1,020,000 |
| 9 | 1989 | Talk to You, Listen to You | Sarah Chen | 970,000 |
| 10 | 1993 | The New Butterfly Dream | Huang An | 940,000 |
Thailand
| Year | Title | Artist | Label | Sales |
| 1984 | Made in Thailand | Carabao | GMM Grammy | 5,000,000+ |
| 1990 | Boomerang | Thongchai McIntyre | GMM Grammy | 2,000,000+ |
| 1990 | Ninja | Christina Aguilar | GMM Grammy | 1,000,000+ |
| 1991 | Prik-Kee-Nu | Thongchai McIntyre | GMM Grammy | 3,500,000+ |
| 1991 | Jor-Ae-Bor | Jetrin Wattanasin | GMM Grammy | 1,000,000+ |
| 1992 | Kwam-Lab-Sood-Korb-Fah | Mai Charoenpura | GMM Grammy | 2,000,000+ |
| 1993 | MEGADANCE 2 | Jessica Jay | ONPA | 1,000,000+ |
| 1994 | Red Beat | Christina Aguilar | GMM Grammy | 3,500,000+ |
| 1994 | Thor-Thong | Thongchai McIntyre | GMM Grammy | 1,000,000+ |
| 1994 | Mr.Mos – Mai-Rak-Mai-Dai-Leaw | Patiparn Pataweekarn | GMM Grammy | 1,000,000+ |
| 1995 | Amita Tata Young | Tata Young | GMM Grammy | 1,000,000+ |
| 1995 | Feather & Flowers | Thongchai McIntyre | GMM Grammy | 1,000,000+ |
| 1996 | 6.2.12 | Christina Aguilar Jetrin Wattanasin Patiparn Pataweekarn Tata Young Myria Benedetti UHT | GMM Grammy | 2,000,000+ |
| 1997 | Siren Love | Ruangsak Loychusak | RS Public Company Limited | 1,000,000+ |
| 1998 | Thongchai Service | Thongchai McIntyre | GMM Grammy | 1,000,000+ |
| 1998 | Entertainment | Loso | GMM Grammy | 2,000,000+ |
| 1999 | DUNK | Phunkorn Boonyachinda | RS Public Company Limited | 1,500,000+ |
| 1999 | Tu-Pleng Saman Prajam Barn | Thongchai McIntyre | GMM Grammy | 1,000,000+ |
| 2001 | Smile Club | Thongchai McIntyre | GMM Grammy | 2,200,000+ |
| 2002 | Chood-Rab-Kak | Thongchai McIntyre | GMM Grammy | 8,000,000+ |
| 2003 | Soundshake | Clash | GMM Grammy | 1,000,000+ |
| 2004 | Bird-Sek | Thongchai McIntyre Seksan Sukpimai | GMM Grammy | 2,000,000+ |
| 2005 | Volume 1 | Thongchai McIntyre | GMM Grammy | 1,000,000+ |
| 2006 | Crashing | Clash | GMM Grammy | 500,000+ |
| 2007 | Save My Life | Bodyslam | GMM Grammy | 400,000+ |
| 2010 | KRAAM | Bodyslam | GMM Grammy | 440,000+ |
United Kingdom
| Released before UK music recording certifications were introduced in April 1973 |
United States
| Rank | Artist | Album | Shipments | Certification |
| 1 | Eagles | Their Greatest Hits | 38,000,000 | 38 × Platinum |
| 2 | Thriller | 33,000,000 | 33 × Platinum | |
| 3 | Eagles | Hotel California | 26,000,000 | 26 × Platinum |
| 4 | Led Zeppelin | Led Zeppelin IV | 23,000,000 | 23 × Platinum |
| 4 | Pink Floyd | The Wall | 23,000,000 | 23 × Platinum |
| 6 | AC/DC | Back in Black | 25,000,000 | 25 × Platinum |
| 7 | Shania Twain | Come on Over | 20,000,000 | 20 × Platinum |
| 8 | Fleetwood Mac | Rumours | 20,000,000 | 20 × Platinum |
| 9 | Whitney Houston | The Bodyguard | 18,000,000 | 18 × Platinum |