The Baloch alternative transliterations Baluch, Balouch, Bloach, Balooch, Balush, Balosh, Baloosh, Baloush) are an Iranian people inhabiting the region of Balochistan in the southeast corner of the Iranian plateau in Southwest Asia and the northwestern Indian Subcontinent, including parts of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran.The Baloch speak Balochi, which is considered a northwestern Iranian language and the Baloch are accordingly generally considered an Iranian people. They mainly inhabit mountainous terrains, which have allowed them to maintain a distinct cultural identity and resist domination by neighbouring rulers.

The Baloch are predominantly Muslim, with most belonging to the Hanafi school of thought of Sunni Islam, but there are also a significant number belonging to Shia school of thought in Balochistan. Some 70% of the total Baloch population live in Pakistan. About 20% inhabit the coterminous region of southeastern Iran. Baloch population is estimated at about 8,800,000. "In Pakistan the Balochi people are divided into two groups, the Sulaimani and the Makrani, separated from each other by a compact block of Brahui tribes. The Makrani also form a group in Gujarat who came to Gujarat as freelancers and formed a group against the Arabs.
 

Demographics


The Baloch-speaking population is estimated to be in the range of 20 to 30 million. However, the exact number of Baloch and those who are or claim to be of Baloch ancestry is difficult to determine.It is possible that there are more Baloch than simply those who claim Balochi as their mother tongue. This, however, raises the question as to who is and is not a Baloch as many surrounding peoples claim to be of Baloch descent, but do not speak Balochi.

The Brahui, having lived in proximity to the Baloch, have engaged substantial linguistic and genetic admixture from the Baloch and in many cases are indistinguishable. Despite very few cultural differences from the Baloch, the Brahui are still regarded as a separate group on account of language difference. The higher population figure for the Baloch may only be possible if a large number of "Baloch" are included who speak a different languages, such as Saraikis, Sindhi, Panjabi and Brahui, and who often claim descent from Baloch ancestors.

Many Baloch outside of Balochistan are also bilingual or of mixed ancestry due to their proximity to other ethnic groups including the Sindhis, Brahui, Persians, and Pashtuns. There are also a large number of Baloch who have been migrating or have been living in adjacent provinces to Balochistan for centuries. In addition, there are many Baloch located in other parts of the world with the bulk living in the GCC countries of the Persian Gulf.There is a significant population of Baloch in western countries such as Sweden and Australia. It is known that many Baloch settled in Australia in the 1800s and now fourth generation Baloch still live in Australia, mainly in Perth.

Major Ethnic Groups in Pakistan and surrounding areas, 1980. The Baloch are shown in pink.The Balochistan region is divided between three: Pakistani Balochistan, Iranian Balochistan, and the southern parts of Afghanistan Afghani Balochistan. Research also has been done by several authors, that the Baloch ancestry goes back to the Median Empire era, when the Baluch tribes or Kurd Tribes were sent to protect the borders of the Median empire in regions of Makran and Toran.