Gagauz people
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| c. 150,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Moldova | 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 a 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, a language separated from Balkan Gagauz Turkish.