PIP: The influence of fertility preferences on contraceptive use is examined among a sample of low income rural Egyptian women. 2 questions are considered: 1) Are fertility preferences systematically related to contraceptive behavior in rural Egypt? 2) If fertility preferences are related to contraceptive use, how does their influence compare to other social and demographic variables as predictors of contraceptive behavior? Results are compared to those obtained in the 11 nation World Fertility Survey and placed in perspective with those from other developing countries. 15% of the women studied were currently practicing contraception. Only 2% of those who wanted more children were using contraceptives. The 1/3 who wanted no more children were currently practicing contraception. The measure of fertility preference emerged as the strongest predictor of contraception among rural Egyptian women among the series of social and demographic factors examined including educational attainment, residential characteristics, wife's age, number of living sons, and wife's age at first marriage.