The Alaska Native population experienced substantial advances in physical health, education, income, and housing between 1970 and 1980. Despite these gains and the 1971 passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), the Alaska Native population remains at a disadvantage in all areas relative to the Alaskan non-Native population and the United States population as a whole. Despite an annual 2.4% population increase, Natives constitute a smaller minority group in 1980 than in 1970. The Native birth rate is likely to remain high, with approximately 39,000 Natives ineligible to enroll for ANCSA benefits by 1991. Declines in infant mortality and deaths due to preventable diseases were offset by increases in the rate of deaths due to accidents and suicide. While the educational attainment of Natives 18-24 years old has improved significantly, one out of four dropped out of high school in 1980. The Native male unemployment rate (13% in 1980) showed negligible change during the decade. From 1970 to 1980, state/local government employment among rural Alaska Natives increased from 22% to 39% of all Native employment. The average number of persons per Native household dropped from 5.2 in 1970 to 3.8 in 1980. (NEC)