The ECB has released its annual interim report on the international role of the euroThe name of the European single currency adopted by the European Council at the meeting held in Madrid on 15-16 December 1995. See ECU. More covering the year 2015.
The report stresses that in a context of heightened global economic uncertainty, the euro remained the second most important currencyThe money used in a particular country at a particular time, like dollar, yen, euro, etc., consisting of banknotes and coins, that does not require endorsement as a medium of exchange. More in the international monetary system but with a significant gap to the US dollarMonetary unit of the United States of America, and a number of other countries e.g. Australia, Canada and New Zealand. More.
With regard to banknotes, the report shows that net monthly shipments outside the euro area remained broadly stable in 2015. This follows a 4-year period of continued growth. In January 2016, the cumulated shipment of euro banknotes represents approximately € 180 billion.