Swift received the honor based on world wide sales for her blockbuster album, "1989," which has sold over 8.6 million copies across the globe and topped the Billboard chart in the U.S. for 11 weeks.

IFPI Chief Executive Frances Moore had the following to say, "Congratulations to Taylor Swift. She merits this result as she is a hardworking and talented performer who has an amazing ability to connect with audiences worldwide. This IFPI award reflects the global popularity of recording artists across the diverse ways in which fans choose to listen to music today."