The 24-year-old ranks second in the list, released today.
In a list compiled by international music body the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), Thinking Out Loud singer Ed is among five British acts to make the top ten.
Ranking second only to Adele, who released her long-awaited third album 25 last year, the former Thomas Mills pupil is no stranger to top music accolades.
In February 2015 he took home Brit awards for British Male Solo Artist and British Album of the Year for x, and in May he picked up an Ivor Novello Award for songwriter of the year.
One Direction came fifth in the list, while Coldplay and Sam Smith are at six and eight.
Ed, who was born in West Yorkshire but grew up in Framlingham, sold out Wembley stadium on three consecutive nights last summer.
He also launched his own record label, Gingerbread Man Records, in 2015, and was listed among Britain’s biggest-earning young celebrities in November.
Top 10 Global Recording Artists of 2015:
1 - Adele
2 - Ed Sheeran
3 - Taylor Swift
4 - Justin Bieber
5 - One Direction
6 - Coldplay
7 - Maroon 5
8 - Sam Smith
9 - Drake
10 - The Weeknd
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