The euro's role as a reserve currency is growing and the chart here shows the euro and US dollar shares in international foreign-exchange reserves and their annual percentage change. It can be seen that the share of the euro has risen strongly since the currency was launched eleven years ago. By Q3 2009 it had grown to 27.7%, from 18.1%. This represents an increase of 53% in a growing environment, as total forex reserves have quintupled over the same period. Deutsche Bank economist Nicolaus Heinen says despite the data, eurosceptics consider the euro's role as reserve currency to be in jeopardy at present. They fear that high government debt in some EMU countries could make the euro unattractive to international investors.