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

In Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the foundational level consists of physical needs, which encompass the basic requirements for human survival. These include necessities such as food, water, warmth, and rest. This first tier is fundamental because, before individuals can focus on higher-level needs — like safety, social connections, esteem, and ultimately self-actualization — their physical needs must be satisfied. If these basic physiological requirements are not met, it becomes exceedingly difficult for a person to pursue anything else, such as feeling safe, developing relationships, or striving for personal growth and fulfillment. Thus, satisfying physical needs is essential for moving upward in the hierarchy toward achieving higher-level psychological and self-fulfillment needs.