According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which need must be met first?

Maslow's hierarchy of needs posits that there are different levels of human needs, structured in a pyramid. At the base of this pyramid are the physiological needs, which include essential requirements for human survival such as food, water, warmth, and rest. These needs are fundamental; without them being met, an individual cannot focus on higher-level needs such as safety, social relationships, esteem, or self-actualization.

Once physiological needs are satisfied, individuals can then progress toward fulfilling their safety needs, followed by social needs, esteem needs, and ultimately self-actualization, which represents the realization of one's potential and the pursuit of personal growth and fulfillment. Understanding this hierarchy helps to explain human motivation and behavior, emphasizing that unmet basic needs can hinder a person’s ability to achieve and thrive in other areas of life.