KIEV, July 4 - The shadow economy in Ukraine decreased to 40% of GDP in 2015 from 43% of GDP in 2014, the Economic Development and Trade Ministry reported.

"The upward trend for the shadow economy started in 2013 and continued in the conditions of price and devaluation shocks and escalation of hostilities has been broken," the ministry said.

The ministry said that in Q1 2015 the indicator grew to 46% of GDP, while in Q2 2016 it decreased to 42% of GDP and in H2 2016 it stabilized at 40 of GDP.