Inbreeding in Tamil Nadu, South India

Abstract

Abstract While inbreeding levels have declined in most parts of the world, they are still high in South India. Based on a major study of rural and urban population samples, the extent of inbreeding in Tamil Nadu, one of the southern states of India, is presented and analyzed in relation to specific socioeconomic and demographic factors. The inbreeding coefficients (Wright's F) in the rural and urban areas were 0.0371 and 0.0204, respectively. Although the levels were generally high in all population groups, the coefficients showed significant variations by religion, education, and occupational status of the couple, and by place of residence. Data over the past several decades indicate that inbreeding continues to be maintained at relatively high levels even today.