This paper examines the reasons for which family planning takes different forms in 3 similar northwest African countries, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. There is a malthusian attitude toward population growth in Tunisia and Morocco, where there are national family planning programs; such is not the case in Algeria. While all 3 countries recognize the need for limiting population growth, there is more emphasis on this politically in Tunisia than in Algeria. In Tunisia the head of state will speak out on family planning; in Morocco the head of state leaves this for organizations to do. Ideas on family planning get out more effectively to the Tunisian population than to the Moroccans. In differing degrees, respect for time honored tradition and recognition of religious values are factors that family planners must deal with in all of these countries if state authorities are to be taken more seriously.