The year-long Household Expenditure Survey, currently into its sixth month, will cover new groups of households in the next month.

The groups, which will be surveyed for two weeks each starting from Feb 18 and March 4 respectively, will cover the areas of Bendemeer, Bedok, Bukit Timah, Havelock Road, Hougang, Geylang Bahru, Orchard and Woodlands.

The survey is conducted once every five years by the Singapore Department of Statistics. Into its tenth edition, it will cover 11,000 households divided into 26 groups. Ten groups have been surveyed so far.

The survey collects information on households' expenditure used in the compilation of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), a measure of inflation. Data will also serve as input for social and economic policy planning and formulation, as well as studies on income and expenditure patterns.

Officers carrying identification cards and letters of authorisation from the Department of Statistics will visit the selected households. To verify their identity, residents may call 1800-888-1213, from 8.30am to 10pm daily.

The survey is conducted under Chapter 317 of the Statistics Act, which ensures that all information supplied by households will be kept in confidence.