PIP: North Yemen's 5.5 million people have a life expectancy of 42 years, and a crude birth rate of 46/1000 with a natural increase of 2.4%/year. A study was conducted from 1977-78 in 3 different ecological and cultural zones to determine the effects of 3 fertility variables: 1) temporary emigration; 2) breastfeeding; and 3) contraception usage. Spousal separation due to Yemeni males working outside the country may not be as important a factor to family size as the attitudinal changes toward family size and contraception the men bring back. Bottlefeeding is an accepted way of feeding infants even in remote villages. Powdered milk is readily available and Yemeni women can afford to purchase the milk, which may cause shorter birth intervals. Contraception usage is increasing due to decreased infant mortality levels, reevaluation of family size, and increased availability of contraceptives. The increase in contraceptives may offset the effects of breastfeeding.