Trends in consanguinity in South India

This study uses data from the 1992-93 National Family Health Survey to asse ss trends in consanguinity in the South Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Ka rnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. In Kerala, the frequency of consanguineous marriages is very low and one type of preferred marriage of the Dravidian m arriage system - uncle-niece marriage - is conspicuously absent. In the oth er states of South India, consanguinity and the coefficient of inbreeding a re high. While no change in consanguinity is observed during the past three to four decades in Karnataka, a definite decline is observed in Andhra Pra desh and Tamil Nadu. Due to recent changes in the demographic and social si tuation in these states, this decline in consanguinity is likely to continu e.