According to Universal Music Spain, Official Charts UK, RHYTHM NATION 1814 by JANET JACKSON has sold 14,000,000 copies worldwide. The album sold best in United States (7,000,000 copies), United Kingdom (300,000 copies) and Japan (278,040 copies).
RHYTHM NATION 1814 certifications and sales
| Country / region | Sales | Certification / source | Certification date / sales as of | |
 Australia |
70,000 | 1x Platinum | JANUARY 1991 |
Australia Sales: 70,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: JANUARY 1991
|
 Canada |
100,000 | 1x Platinum | 1989 |
Canada Sales: 100,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1989
|
 Hong Kong |
10,000 | 1x Gold |
Hong Kong Sales: 10,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 Japan |
278,040 | 1x Gold | April 1990 |
Japan Sales: 278,040
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: April 1990
|
 Netherlands |
50,000 | 1x Gold | 1994 |
Netherlands Sales: 50,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 1994
|
 New Zealand |
7,500 | 1x Gold |
New Zealand Sales: 7,500
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of:
|
|
 Switzerland |
25,000 | 1x Gold | 1991 |
Switzerland Sales: 25,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 1991
|
 United Kingdom |
300,000 | 1x Platinum | 1 October, 1990 |
United Kingdom Sales: 300,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1 October, 1990
|
 United States |
7,000,000 | 6x Platinum | 19 November, 1992 |
United States Sales: 7,000,000
Certification / note: 6x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 19 November, 1992
|
| Worldwide sales | 14,000,000 | Universal Music Spain, Official Charts UK |
Total
Sales: 14,000,000
Source: Universal Music Spain, Official Charts UK
|
Year-end chart performance for RHYTHM NATION 1814
| Chart 1989 | Rank | Sales |
| Canadian Albums (RPM) |
53 | |
| UK Artist Albums |
96 | |
| Chart 1990 | Rank | Sales |
| Canadian Albums (RPM) |
25 | |
| Japanese Albums (Oricon) |
61 | 224,190 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) |
25 | |
| UK Artist Albums |
85 | |
| US Albums (Billboard 200) |
1 | |
| Chart 1991 | Rank | Sales |
| Australian Albums (ARIA) |
13 | |
| US Albums (Billboard 200) |
43 |