REAL LIFE by SIMPLE MINDS has sold 985,000 copies in 8 countries. The album sold best in United Kingdom (300,000 copies), Germany (250,000 copies) and France (200,000 copies).
REAL LIFE certifications and sales
| Country / region | Sales | Certification / source | Certification date / sales as of | |
 Australia |
35,000 | 1x Gold | NOVEMBER 1991 |
Australia Sales: 35,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: NOVEMBER 1991
|
 France |
200,000 | 2x Gold | 1991 |
France Sales: 200,000
Certification / note: 2x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 1991
|
 Germany |
250,000 | 1x Gold | 1991 |
Germany Sales: 250,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 1991
|
 Netherlands |
50,000 | 1x Gold | 1991 |
Netherlands Sales: 50,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 1991
|
 Spain |
50,000 | 1x Gold | 1991 |
Spain Sales: 50,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 1991
|
 Sweden |
50,000 | 1x Gold | 28 January,1992 |
Sweden Sales: 50,000
Certification / note: 1x Gold
Certification Date / sales as of: 28 January,1992
|
 Switzerland |
50,000 | 1x Platinum | 1991 |
Switzerland Sales: 50,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1991
|
 United Kingdom |
300,000 | 1x Platinum | 1 July, 1991 |
United Kingdom Sales: 300,000
Certification / note: 1x Platinum
Certification Date / sales as of: 1 July, 1991
|
| Total sales | 985,000 | (in 8 countries) |
Total
Sales: 985,000
(in 8 countries)
|
Year-end chart performance for REAL LIFE
| Chart 1991 | Rank | Sales |
 Canadian Albums (RPM) |
78 | |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) |
42 | |
 European Albums (Music & Media) |
12 | |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) |
16 | |
 Italian Albums (Musica & Dischi) |
10 | 300,000 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) |
8 | |
| UK Albums |
41 |