behovet

Behovet is the definite form of behov, a noun used in Swedish, Danish and Norwegian to express a need, requirement, or necessity. The indefinite singular is behov; the definite singular is behovet; the indefinite plural is behov; and the definite plural is behoven. The term appears in everyday language as well as in economics, sociology and public policy.

In ordinary use, behov denotes a situation in which something is required or desired for functioning or well-being. Examples include a need for food, shelter, or care, and a need for action or relief. The phrase grundläggande behov or basale behov is common when talking about essential necessities, while needs that are not essential may be described as wants. In policy and planning, behov is used to describe what services, resources, or conditions are required to support a population, often guiding priorities and budgeting.

In economics and welfare discourse, behov is frequently analyzed through needs assessments (behovsanalys or behovsbedömning) to determine which services should be supplied or improved. The term also appears in phrases such as behovet av vård (the need for care) or behovet av bostäder (the need for housing), illustrating its role in evaluating societal requirements.

Etymology and cognates: behov derives from the Scandinavian verb behøva/behöva, meaning to require or need, with related forms in Danish and Norwegian. The concept is widely used across the Nordic languages to discuss necessities at individual and societal levels.