Table 2.2 illustrates the diversification of the currency composition of
foreign exchange reserves since the mid-1970s. The table shows a falling
share of international reserves devoted to dollars until the beginning of
the 1990s. The mark and yen gained larger shares of the international
reserve portfolio from the mid-1970s to mid-1990s. In the 2000s the dol-
lar share once again increased. Although the share of the dollar in 2011 is
not as high as in the mid-1970s, it still exceeds 60 percent of the interna-
tional reserves. Furthermore, the euro has increased its share, but by 2011
only had slightly above a 26 percent share.