Figures released by the Official Charts Company indicate that pop albums made up a 33.6% share of all records sold throughout 2011.
Jessie J and Adele were among the artists responsible for pop's biggest sales, which saw seven pop albums grace the top ten biggest-selling LPs of the year.
Albums classified as rock saw their sales dip to 29.4% from 2010's 31.2%, despite big releases from Coldplay and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.
Meanwhile, the easy listening genre posted big sales and counted for 7.9% of all albums purchased, headed by Michael Buble.
© PA Images
© PA Images
Folk music also saw a spike in sales due to popular releases from Laura Marling and Bellowhead, along with the continued success of Mumford & Sons.
Talking about pop's successful year, BPI executive Geoff Taylor said: "2011 was a vintage year for pop albums so it is hardly surprising that the genre has elbowed rock aside as the nation's favourite.
"Although rock's share is the lowest for eight years, it still accounts for three in ten of every albums sold so recent reports of its demise are premature."
He added: "Pop has managed to double its share of singles sales in the space of five years and now outsells rock by two-to-one.
"It's no coincidence that over the same period dozens of vibrant, digital music services have launched in Britain, enabling younger music fans to buy and enjoy tracks online at pocket money prices."
> Poll: Is rock music dying out?
> Adele's 21 is an amazing album, says Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl
Watch the music video for Adele's 'Rolling In The Deep' below:
