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. The Baloch trace their origin back to Aleppo [citation needed] located in northern Syria. In the 4th century CE, they started leaving this region and migrated to the south of the Caspian sea and later on settled in the mountainous region of south-eastern Iran and western Pakistan.

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. The Baloch trace their origin back to Aleppo [citation needed] located in northern Syria. In the 4th century CE, they started leaving this region and migrated to the south of the Caspian sea and later on settled in the mountainous region of south-eastern Iran and western Pakistan.

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 absorbed 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 Seraikis, 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.Their homeland, Balochistan, is divided between three countries with portions of it in 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.

Balouch in Oman

The Southern Baloch of Oman began migrating from the coastal Baluchistan to the Arab lands some 70 years ago when oil was discovered there. Baloch in Oman have maintained their ethnic and linguistic distinctions. The Southern Baloch compose approximately 25% of the country's population. The traditional Baloch economy is based on a combination of farming and semi-nomadic shepherding