According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, which level must be satisfied first?

In Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, physiological needs are fundamental to human survival and must be met first before an individual can focus on higher-level needs. These physiological needs include basic necessities such as air, water, food, shelter, and sleep.

When physiological needs are unmet, individuals are driven primarily by the need to satisfy these essentials, which often takes precedence over emotional, social, or self-fulfillment needs. For instance, a person who is hungry or lacks shelter will prioritize finding food or a place to live over establishing relationships or pursuing personal goals.

Once these basic physiological requirements are fulfilled, individuals can then move on to the next levels of the hierarchy, including safety and security, social needs, esteem, and ultimately self-actualization. This structured approach underscores how foundational needs must be addressed before higher-level aspirations can be realized.