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Health Effects of Cousin Marriage: Evidence from US Genealogical Records

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  • Sam Il Myoung Hwang
  • Deaglan Jakob
  • Munir Squires

Abstract

Cousin marriage rates are high in many countries today. While previous studies have documented increased risks of infant and child mortality, we provide the first estimate of the effect of such marriages on life expectancy throughout adulthood. By studying couples married over a century ago, we can observe their offspring across the entire lifespan. US genealogical data allow us to identify children whose parents were first cousins and compare their years of life to the offspring of their parents' siblings. Marrying a cousin leads to more than a two-year reduction in age-five life expectancy, compounding the documented early-life effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Sam Il Myoung Hwang & Deaglan Jakob & Munir Squires, 2025. "Health Effects of Cousin Marriage: Evidence from US Genealogical Records," American Economic Review: Insights, American Economic Association, vol. 7(3), pages 396-410, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aerins:v:7:y:2025:i:3:p:396-410
    DOI: 10.1257/aeri.20230544
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • N31 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913
    • N32 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - U.S.; Canada: 1913-

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