need

Need is a state of requiring something that is essential for basic functioning, health, or well-being. In everyday use, to need something implies that its absence causes difficulty, impairment, or risk. Needs are distinguished from wants or desires, which refer to items that might be liked but are not essential.

Etymology: The word "need" has Germanic origins and appears in Old English. It has related terms in other Germanic languages, reflecting a long-standing concept across European languages.

Across disciplines, needs are categorized differently. In psychology, Maslow's hierarchy organizes human needs into tiers such as physiological, safety, belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. In economics and public policy, "needs" are often contrasted with wants and are used to identify essential goods and services and to guide resource allocation. The idea of need underpins humanitarian aid and development programs, where unmet needs are identified to set priorities and allocate resources.

Measurement and debates: Needs are typically assessed with indicators such as nutritional status, housing quality, health service access, or educational attainment, supplemented by self-reported needs. Critics say need is value-laden and context-dependent; some advocate objective thresholds, while others favor participatory assessments that reflect local priorities.

In contemporary discourse, the concept of need informs policy debates, humanitarian interventions, and social programs, while remaining contested as a normative category that depends on cultural and ethical perspectives.