KEY POINTS
- A 2025 World Population Survey finds Pakistan ranks first globally in cousin marriages
- Health experts warn the tradition is fuelling a rise in genetic disorders
- Deep-rooted tribal, social, and religious customs continue to drive consanguineous marriages
- Experts urge government action, calling for genetic counselling, awareness campaigns
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan ranks first globally in cousin marriages, with nearly 61% of unions occurring between relatives, followed by Kuwait at 54%, a 2025 World Population Survey has revealed.
Health experts and researchers have warned that this deeply rooted cultural practice is now contributing to a surge in genetic and mental health disorders, including autism, ADHD, and depression.
A recent compilation of World Population Review data and international genetic studies has identified several countries with notably high rates of consanguineous marriages, unions between blood relatives such as first cousins, driven largely by cultural, social, and economic traditions.
According to the findings, Pakistan tops the global list, with approximately 61.2% of all marriages involving relatives, most of them first cousins.
The country’s inbreeding coefficient, which measures genetic relatedness, stands at 0.033, one of the highest in the world.
Experts attribute this trend to deeply rooted cultural traditions, particularly in rural and tribal regions, where family alliances and social stability are prioritized.
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In the Middle East, Kuwait records around 54.3% consanguineous marriages (inbreeding coefficient: 0.016), followed closely by Qatar at 54%, where tribal customs and the desire to preserve family wealth play major roles.
The United Arab Emirates also reports about 50.5% of marriages between relatives, sustained by similar cultural and economic considerations.
In Sudan, nearly half of all marriages (50%) are consanguineous, linked to traditional practices and limited genetic diversity within smaller communities.
Afghanistan follows with 49%, influenced by social and familial norms resembling those in neighbouring Pakistan.
Other countries with high rates include Iraq (46.4%), Yemen (44.7%), Iran (39.5%), and Saudi Arabia (38.9%), where tribal affiliations, inheritance laws, and historical customs encourage intra-family unions.
Cultural Roots and Social Causes
Consanguineous marriages, unions between blood relatives, often first cousins, have long been part of Pakistan’s social and cultural fabric.
Families in both rural and urban areas often favour such marriages to preserve wealth, maintain family ties, and ensure social compatibility.
Dr. Imrana Nasir, a renewed gynaecologist from Rawalpindi, noted that cousin marriages in Pakistan could range from 65% nationally to as high as 85% in some ethnic groups.
She attributed this to a mix of cultural, social, business, and political motives, though he acknowledged potential biological risks associated with the trend.
Health Impacts and Genetic Risks
Health experts emphasize that while cousin marriages are socially accepted, they carry significant medical consequences.
Studies show that continuous inbreeding raises the likelihood of recessive genetic disorders, congenital disabilities, and hereditary conditions.
Also Read: Azerbaijan Outlaws Cousin Marriages to Protect Future Generations
“People have blind faith in religious or cultural traditions,” said Dr. Imrana, adding that genetic counselling and public health education are crucial to preventing the spread of hereditary diseases in future generations.
Tribal and Religious Dimensions
In Pakistan’s tribal regions of Balochistan, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, cousin marriages are viewed as a social norm and religious obligation.
Marrying outside one’s tribe or caste is often discouraged or even punished, with social ostracism or violence reported in some areas.
Also Read: UK Parliament Begins Debate to Ban First Cousin Marriages
Sociologists note that religious interpretations and tribal customs reinforce these unions, making change difficult without the involvement of religious leaders and community elders.
Call for Awareness and Reform
Public health advocates urge the government to collaborate with religious clerics, schools, and healthcare institutions to spread awareness about the risks of inbreeding.
Experts propose introducing genetic testing and counselling before marriage, similar to initiatives in other Muslim-majority countries.
“Only education and open dialogue can balance cultural respect with health awareness,” said Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zaman, former chairman Department of Sociology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. “It’s time to protect our future generations from preventable genetic suffering.”
