According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, what is the highest level of need?

The highest level of need in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is the need for self-actualization. This level represents the realization of an individual's potential, self-fulfillment, and personal growth. Self-actualization is about becoming everything that one is capable of becoming, which includes pursuing personal goals, engaging in creative expressions, and striving for personal improvement and peak experiences.

At this level, individuals seek to fulfill their own unique talents and capabilities, rather than simply satisfying lower-level needs such as safety, love, or esteem. Once the more fundamental needs—like physiological needs (food, water), safety needs (security, stability), social needs (love, belonging), and esteem needs (recognition, respect)—are met, an individual can focus on achieving self-actualization. This emphasizes the importance of addressing foundational needs before one can pursue higher order personal aspirations.