When we measure the commercial success of artists, we usually just take into account North America.
While North America is a very important part of world, it's a fairly small part of the planet population-wise.
Here are the best-selling artists around the world, as compiled by The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.
Best selling artists of 2022 worldwide (via IFPI):
— chart data (@chartdata) February 22, 2023
#1 Taylor Swift
#2 BTS
#3 Drake
#4 Bad Bunny
#5 The Weeknd
#6 SEVENTEEN
#7 STRAY KIDS
#8 Harry Styles
#9 Jay Chou
#10 Ed Sheeran
#1 Taylor Swift #2 BTS #3 Drake #4 Bad Bunny #5 The Weeknd #6 SEVENTEEN #7 STRAY KIDS #8 Harry Styles #9 Jay Chou #10 Ed Sheeran.
The bands whose names you don't recognize are South Korean and Jay Chou is Taiwanese.
In 2021, BTS, Taylor Swift, Adele, Drake and Ed Sheeran were top five, in that order.