Why 65% of Pakistanis Still Marry Their Cousins: The Data Explained

Gallup Pakistan data shows that 65% of Pakistanis marry within the family, and nearly three-quarters of those are first-cousin marriages. Despite clear medical concerns raised by health professionals, the pattern has barely changed over decades. In this episode, Pakistan & Counting breaks down the data behind this complex social phenomenon: What we explore: • How much of this is family pressure vs. individual choice • Why similarities in sect, political views, and geography shape marriage decisions • Whether cousin marriages help families keep assets, property, and wealth within the household • Why cousin marriage declines as household income increases • What sociologists, anthropologists, and economists say about the deeper system that sustains these marriages Follow Pakistan & Counting on: X: https://x.com/PakAndCounting FB: https://www.facebook.com/PakistanAndCounting IG: https://www.instagram.com/pakistanandcounting/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pakistanandcounting?_t=8rbVjlJIYOw&_r=1 LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pakistan-and-counting/ #foryou #fyp #marriage #cousinmarige #viral