Sjálfsþurft

Sjálfsþurft is an Icelandic term referring to the state or capability of meeting a group’s or individual’s needs from its own resources, without relying on external inputs. In practice, it covers a spectrum from personal self-reliance to national or regional self-sufficiency, and it is closely related to the concept of autarky in economics.

The concept is used in various contexts. For individuals and households, sjálfsþurft can involve independent food production, energy generation, or comprehensive preparedness for emergencies. At the community level, it may appear in discussions about local food systems, cooperative economies, or microgrids that reduce dependence on distant suppliers. At the policy level, it is connected to debates about food security, energy independence, and resilience amid global disruptions.

Benefits commonly associated with self-sufficiency include increased resilience to shocks, reduced vulnerability to external price fluctuations, and the promotion of sustainable practices when local resources are effectively managed. However, critics note potential downsides: higher costs, decreased efficiency due to a lack of specialization, slower access to innovation, and the risk of excessive insulation from global exchange, which can limit variety and economic adaptability.

In modern discourse, sjálfsþurft is often balanced with the advantages of interdependence and trade. It is commonly discussed in the contexts of disaster preparedness, rural development, and sustainable living, where the aim is to strengthen local capacity while maintaining productive links to broader economies.