KIEV, Feb. 5 - Ukraine's combined state (direct) and government-guaranteed debt increased 53.5% in 2009, or by $13.151 billion, to $37.749 billion, the Finance Ministry said.

In December, that figure increased 5.2%, or by $1.878 billion.

In national currency hryvna equivalent, state debt in 2009 increased 59.1%, or by UAH 112.018 billion, to UAH 01.428 billion, including 5.3%, or by UAH 15.142, in December alone.