SINGAPORE - Selected households will soon be asked to participate in the 11th Household Expenditure Survey from October to September next year.

The survey will involve 13,100 households, which will be divided into 26 groups, said the Department of Statistics in a statement on Thursday (Sept 28).

The first two groups of households will come from areas in Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Merah, Choa Chu Kang, Hougang, Pasir Ris and Serangoon.

Other areas of Singapore will be covered progressively over the one-year period, the statement added.

The survey, which is conducted once every five years, collects detailed information on households' expenditure, socio-economic characteristics, and ownership of consumer durables.

Data collected will be used to facilitate studies on household income and expenditure patterns, and in the compilation of the Consumer Price Index, said the Department of Statistics in the statement. The data will be kept confidential in accordance with the Statistics Act.

Households selected for the survey will receive a letter informing them of their participation, and an information pamphlet.

All survey officers carry an official identification card and a letter of authorisation issued by the Department of Statistics. Those who wish to verify the identify of the officers may also call the survey hotline at 1800-888-1718, said the Department of Statistics.

Members of the public who have questions on the survey can e-mail singstat_hes@singstat.gov.sg or call the hotline from Mondays to Fridays, 9am to 10pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays, 10am to 10pm. The hotline is closed on public holidays.