Father's Day spending in China is expected to be sluggish due to the relatively low popularity of the occasion among Chinese people, said a recent survey by research firm Horizon China.

In China, the day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June.

According to the survey, only 16.8 percent of the Chinese know which day is Father's Day, while 20.6 percent know the exact date of Mother's Day, 56.1 percent of Valentine's Day and 53.4 percent of Christmas.

Out of those people who are familiar with Father's Day in China, 45 percent just call theirs fathers, followed by those who prefer eating out (36.5 percent) and those who buy a gift (35.1 percent).

The survey polled 3,175 residents above 18 years old in 12 major cities, 12 small towns and 12 villages in the Fujian and Liaoning provinces between March and April.

In the US, an average person celebrating Father's Day is expected to spend $117.14 on gifts, up from $106.49 in 2011. Total Father's Day spending is also expected to reach $12.7 billion in the US, said the National Retail Federation's 2012 Father's Day spending survey.

According to the report, more people this year will treat dad to a special outing, such as golfing, eating out or heading to a sports event.