Gagauz people
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| c. 150,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Moldova (excl. Transnistria) | 98,200 (2024 census) |
| Ukraine | 25,000 |
| Russia | 9,272 (2021 census) |
| Turkey | 5,400 |
| Transnistria | 4,999 (2015 census) |
| Languages | |
| Religion | |
| Eastern Orthodox Church | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Turkish people, Azerbaijanis and Gajals | |
| People | Gagauzlar |
|---|---|
| Language | Gagauz Gagauz dili / Gagauzça) |
| Country | Gagauzia Gagauz Yeri / Gagauziya |
The Gagauz (/ɡəˈɡɔːz/; Gagauz: Gagauzlar) are an Oghuz Turkic ethnic group native to southern Moldova (Gagauzia, Taraclia District, Basarabeasca District) and southwestern Ukraine (Budjak). Gagauz are mostly Eastern Orthodox Christians. The term Gagauz is also often used as a collective naming of Turkic people living in the Balkans, speaking the Gagauz language, which is separate from Balkan Gagauz Turkish.