Maps of cousin marriage percentage by country

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Cousin marriage is a marriage where the spouses are cousins. Cousin marriage was typical earlier and is ordinary in some cultures nowadays. In some jurisdictions, such marriages are forbidden: for instance, in China, North and South Korea, the Philippines, and 24 of the 50 U.S. states.

Globally, over 10% of marriages are between first or second cousins.

The Middle East has the highest rates of cousin marriage. Saudi Arabia has marriage rates to first or second cousins that may exceed 70 percent. Iraq is estimated to have a rate of 33 percent, and Afghanistan – 30–40 percent.

But in some countries, the percentage of marriages with first cousins can vary significantly by region. As an example, the map below shows the marriage rate with 1st cousins per Turkish region.