Lau Province is one of fourteen provinces of Fiji. Its capital is at Tubou, at the southern end of the island of Lakeba. The province forms part of the country's Eastern Division (which also includes the provinces of Kadavu and Lomaiviti), and of the Tovata Confederacy, a traditional hierarchy of chiefs from northern and eastern Fiji.

Geographically it consists of the Lau Archipelago. The Lau group comprises 57 islands, 19 of which are inhabited, and has a total land area of around 490 square kilometres (190 sq mi).

In 2021 Lau Province banned spearfishing at night in order to protect the marine ecosystem and biodiversity. Previously, communities from more than 30% of the province had banned the practice.

Demographics

At the most recent census in 2017, Lau had a population of 9,539, down from 10,683 in 2007 and 14,500 in 1976, making it the third-least populous province. As of 2007, about 57,500 people born in Lau Province lived elsewhere in Fiji.

2017 Census

Tikina (District)EthnicityTotal
iTaukei%Indo-Fijian%Other%
Cicia1,02099.260.620.21,028
Kabara65599.800.010.2656
Lakeba1,54299.0120.830.21,557
Lau Other Islands23680.8299.9279.2292
Lomaloma89597.880.9121.3915
Matuku51398.351.040.8522
Moala1,37799.620.140.31,383
Moce42499.130.710.2428
Mualevu82698.670.850.6838
Nayau29199.310.310.3293
Oneata147100.000.000.0147
Ono52399.810.200.0524
Totoya62299.710.210.2624
Vulaga332100.000.000.0332
Province9,40398.6750.8610.69,539

18°20′S 178°30′W/18.333°S 178.500°W/ -18.333; -178.500