Consanguinity by country 2025

World Population Review has a 2025 article about consanguinity by country:

Inbreeding refers to situations in which individuals who are closely related to one another (such as siblings or cousins) procreate and produce offspring. Inbreeding can occur among humans as well as animals. Inbreeding is uncommon in most developed countries, but contributes a statistically relevant portion of the total number of births in certain developing countries.

The practice of marriages between close relatives (typically cousins) is known as consanguineous marriage. Although rare in the Americas and modern Europe, consanguineous marriage is notably common in North Africa and the Middle East, where it is a traditional and respected aspect of many Arab and Muslim cultures. In many countries, consanguineous marriages and inbreeding are considered illegal. Sexual relations between consanguineous couples is typically referred to as incest in these regions.

What Country has the Highest Rate of Inbreeding in the World?

Although precise per-country data is rare, it is widely accepted that countries in the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Western Asia have the highest rates of inbreeding in the world. Countries with traditionally high rates of consanguineous marriage and inbreeding include Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Egypt, and Israel.

What Segments of the Human Population are known for Inbreeding?

A certain degree of inbreeding can be difficult to avoid in isolated or cloistered societies, such as the populations of small islands or ethnic/cultural groups such as immigrants or Amish, where the range of possible marriage partners is limited. These conditions can artificially limit potential mates for members of the population, driving up rates of inbreeding.