Viral posts on Pakistan cousin marriages spark debate over genetic disorders, infant mortality and cultural traditions. Photo: AI.
A claim circulating widely on social media platform X has reignited debate over cousin marriages in Pakistan, with several users saying that nearly 65% of marriages in the country take place between cousins or close relatives. Viral posts describe it as the highest rate in the world and link the practice to increased risks of inherited genetic disorders among children born from such unions. The discussion has also drawn attention to the social and cultural roots of cousin marriages in Pakistan. Some posts claimed the tradition can be traced to Islamic religious doctrines, while researchers and health experts point to deeply embedded kinship systems and longstanding cultural norms that continue to sustain the practice across generations.
The viral posts prompted sharp reactions online, with users debating the medical and social implications of consanguineous marriages.
One social media user wrote, “Pakistan has the highest rate of marriage and sexual relationships between relatives in the world, reaching up to 65%, which results in a large number of children born with disabilities due to the convergence of recessive genes.”
Another X user posted, “That’s why most of them end up being terrorists, they’re mentally unstable.”
Several studies and reports have examined the relationship between cousin marriages and inherited diseases in Pakistan.
A 2017 report on genetic mutations in Pakistan stated that the “heterogenous composition” of the country’s population, combined with high levels of “consanguinity,” has contributed to the prevalence of genetic disorders. The report introduced a Pakistan genetic mutation database designed to identify and track mutations along with the disorders associated with them.
According to the database, more than 1,000 mutations have been documented across 130 different types of genetic disorders reported in Pakistan.
Researchers have noted that the risk of birth abnormalities in the general population typically ranges between 2% and 3%. However, studies indicate that cousin marriages can increase that risk to approximately 6% to 8%.
Medical experts explain that when both parents carry the same defective gene, the likelihood of children inheriting autosomal recessive diseases rises significantly. These conditions include sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, blood disorders, thalassemia, fertility-related complications, and several rare genetic illnesses.
A report by UNICEF Pakistan on consanguineous marriages found that infant mortality in such cases is “twice as high,” with around 78 deaths recorded for every 1,000 live births.
Further concerns were highlighted in research published by The Lancet Global Health, which reported that consanguinity contributes to one of the world’s highest rates of inherited genetic abnormalities in Pakistan. The study stated that such unions account for more than half of all birth defects in the country.
The economic impact is also substantial. According to available estimates, the healthcare burden linked to genetic illnesses associated with consanguinity reached nearly $1.5 billion in 2023 alone.
The issue has also been examined among Pakistani-origin communities living abroad.
A recent report by The Economist noted that 37% of married British-Pakistanis are first cousins.
In comparison, the figure among white British couples is reported to be below 1%.
The findings cited in the report were based on the extensive Born in Bradford study, which tracked health patterns among 13,500 families in Britain. The research observed that while the overall risk of birth defects across the UK population remains relatively low, the likelihood of congenital disorders was significantly higher among children born from close-kin marriages.
Also Read: Pakistan’s Asim Munir Issues Fresh Threat To India: Effects Of War Will Be Dangerous This Time
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
India Has 60-Day Crude, LNG Reserves And 45 Days Of LPG; No Supply Concerns: Hardeep Singh Puri
Hardeep Singh Puri said the government managed the energy supply problems caused by the West…
Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for the firing outside the house of singer-actor Diljit…
Can Cristiano Ronaldo finally lift the Saudi Pro League trophy? Explore the title race scenarios…
