Need vs. Demand — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 3, 2024
"Need" refers to essential requirements for survival, like food and shelter, while "demand" is a consumer's desire and willingness to pay for goods or services.
Difference Between Need and Demand
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A "need" is a basic requirement necessary for an individual's survival or well-being, such as food, water, and shelter. Whereas "demand" in economic terms refers to how much of a product or service is desired by buyers at various prices.
Needs are typically universal and remain constant regardless of external conditions. On the other hand, demand can fluctuate based on factors like price changes, income levels, and consumer preferences.
Meeting a need is often non-negotiable for maintaining life or health. In contrast, fulfilling a demand depends on a consumer's purchasing power and the availability of the product or service.
Needs are generally not influenced by market conditions. Conversely, demand is directly affected by market dynamics, including supply constraints and competitive alternatives.
While needs are inherently qualitative and concern the essentials of life, demand is quantifiable and can be measured by market demand curves that economists and businesses use to plan and forecast.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Essential for survival
Desire to purchase and ability to pay
Dependency
Constant, not influenced by external factors
Varies with economic conditions
Measurement
Qualitative
Quantitative (demand curves)
Market Influence
None
High (affected by price, income, etc.)
Consumer Behavior
Basic requirements fulfilled regardless of choice
Influenced by personal choice and purchasing power
Compare with Definitions
Need
A condition requiring relief or supply.
The disaster-stricken area has a great need for supplies and volunteers.
Demand
A market analysis term used in economics.
Market researchers analyze the demand trends to forecast sales.
Need
Something necessary or indispensable.
Adequate healthcare is a need in modern society.
Demand
A strong requirement stipulated by a situation.
The job demands a high level of technical skill.
Need
A requirement essential for survival.
Clean water is a basic need for human beings.
Demand
Consumer's desire to buy goods or services at given prices.
There's a high demand for organic products now.
Need
Dependency on something for relief or support.
People in cold climates have a need for warm clothing.
Demand
The act of asking for something with authority.
The protestors' demands were heard by the government.
Need
Urgent want or requirement.
There's a need for speed in delivering these packages.
Demand
The quantity of a good that buyers purchase at various prices.
The demand for smartphones rises as prices drop.
Need
A need is something that is necessary for an organism to live a healthy life. Needs are distinguished from wants.
Demand
In economics, demand is the quantity of a good that consumers are willing and able to purchase at various prices during a given period of time. The relationship between price and quantity demanded is also called the demand curve.
Need
A condition or situation in which something must be supplied in order for a certain condition to be maintained or a desired state to be achieved
Crops in need of water.
A child's need for affection.
Demand
An insistent and peremptory request, made as of right
A series of demands for far-reaching reforms
Need
Something required or wanted; a requisite
"Those of us who led the charge for these women's issues ... shared a common vision in the needs of women" (Olympia Snowe).
Demand
Ask authoritatively or brusquely
‘Where is she?’ he demanded
The police demanded that he give them the names
Need
Necessity; obligation
There is no need for you to go.
Demand
To ask for urgently or peremptorily
Demand an investigation into the murder.
Demanding that he leave immediately.
Demanded to speak to the manager.
Need
A condition of poverty or misfortune
The family is in dire need.
Demand
To claim as just or due
Demand repayment of a loan.
Need
To be under the necessity of or the obligation to
They need not come. You needn't be concerned.
Demand
To ask to be informed of
Demanded an explanation for the interruption.
Need
To have need of; require
The family needs money. We need to get some more paint.
Demand
To require as useful, just, proper, or necessary; call for
A gem that demands a fine setting.
Need
To have an obligation (to do something)
You need to clean up your room.
Demand
To lay legal claim to; claim formally.
Need
To be subject (to an action) by obligation
Bags need to be stowed underneath the seat in front of you.
Demand
To ask that (something) be done in accordance with a legal requirement.
Need
To want to be subject to
We don't need another lecture on the subject.
Demand
To make a demand.
Need
To be in need or want.
Demand
An act of demanding; an urgent request.
Need
To be necessary.
Demand
Something demanded
On strike until they get their demands.
Need
A requirement for something; something needed.
There's no need to speculate; we can easily find out for sure.
She grew irritated with his constant need for attention.
Our needs are not being met.
I've always tried to have few needs beyond food, clothing and shelter.
Demand
An urgent requirement or need
The heavy demands of her job.
The emotional demands of his marriage.
An increased oxygen demand.
Need
Lack of means of subsistence; poverty; indigence; destitution.
Demand
The state of being sought after
In great demand as a speaker.
Need
(transitive) To have an absolute requirement for.
Living things need water to survive.
Demand
(Economics) The desire for goods or services in an economy, measured as the amount people are ready to buy at a given price
Supply should rise to meet demand.
Need
(transitive) To want strongly; to feel that one must have something.
After ten days of hiking, I needed a shower and a shave.
Demand
A formal claim.
Need
(modal verb) To be obliged or required (to do something).
You need not go if you don't want to.
Demand
A request that some act be done or payment made in accordance with a legal requirement.
Need
(intransitive) To be required; to be necessary.
Demand
(Archaic) An emphatic question or inquiry.
Need
To be necessary (to someone).
Demand
The desire to purchase goods and services.
Prices usually go up when demand exceeds supply.
Need
A state that requires supply or relief; pressing occasion for something; necessity; urgent want.
And the city had no need of the sun.
I have no need to beg.
Be governed by your needs, not by your fancy.
Demand
(economics) The amount of a good or service that consumers are willing to buy at a particular price.
Need
Want of the means of subsistence; poverty; indigence; destitution.
Famine is in thy cheeks;Need and oppression starveth in thine eyes.
Demand
A forceful claim for something.
Modern society is responding to women's demands for equality.
Need
That which is needful; anything necessary to be done; (pl.) necessary things; business.
Demand
A requirement.
His job makes many demands on his time.
There is a demand for voluntary health workers in the poorer parts of Africa and Asia.
Need
Situation of need; peril; danger.
Demand
An urgent request.
She couldn't ignore the newborn baby's demands for attention.
Need
To be in want of; to have cause or occasion for; to lack; to require, as supply or relief.
Other creatures all day longRove idle, unemployed, and less need rest.
Demand
An order.
Need
To be wanted; to be necessary.
When we have done it, we have done all that is in our power, and all that needs.
Demand
(electricity supply) More precisely peak demand or peak load, a measure of the maximum power load of a utility's customer over a short period of time; the power load integrated over a specified time interval.
Need
Of necessity. See Needs.
Demand
To request forcefully.
I demand to see the manager.
Need
A condition requiring relief;
She satisfied his need for affection
God has no need of men to accomplish His work
There is a demand for jobs
Demand
To claim a right to something.
The bank is demanding the mortgage payment.
Need
Anything that is necessary but lacking;
He had sufficient means to meet his simple needs
I tried to supply his wants
Demand
To ask forcefully for information.
I demand an immediate explanation.
Need
The psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior;
We did not understand his motivation
He acted with the best of motives
Demand
To require of someone.
This job demands a lot of patience.
Need
A state of extreme poverty or destitution;
Their indigence appalled him
A general state of need exists among the homeless
Demand
(legal) To issue a summons to court.
Need
Require as useful, just, or proper;
It takes nerve to do what she did
Success usually requires hard work
This job asks a lot of patience and skill
This position demands a lot of personal sacrifice
This dinner calls for a spectacular dessert
This intervention does not postulates a patient's consent
Demand
To ask or call for with authority; to claim or seek from, as by authority or right; to claim, as something due; to call for urgently or peremptorily; as, to demand a debt; to demand obedience.
This, in our foresaid holy father's name,Pope Innocent, I do demand of thee.
Need
Have need of;
This piano wants the attention of a competent tuner
Demand
To inquire authoritatively or earnestly; to ask, esp. in a peremptory manner; to question.
I did demand what news from Shrewsbury.
Need
Have or feel a need for;
Always needing friends and money
Demand
To require as necessary or useful; to be in urgent need of; hence, to call for; as, the case demands care.
Demand
To call into court; to summon.
Demand
To make a demand; to inquire.
The soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do?
Demand
The act of demanding; an asking with authority; a peremptory urging of a claim; a claiming or challenging as due; requisition; as, the demand of a creditor; a note payable on demand.
The demand [is] by the word of the holy ones.
He that has confidence to turn his wishes into demands will be but a little way from thinking he ought to obtain them.
Demand
Earnest inquiry; question; query.
Demand
A diligent seeking or search; manifested want; desire to possess; request; as, a demand for certain goods; a person's company is in great demand.
In 1678 came forth a second edition [Pilgrim's Progress] with additions; and then the demand became immense.
Demand
That which one demands or has a right to demand; thing claimed as due; claim; as, demands on an estate.
Demand
The asking or seeking for what is due or claimed as due.
Demand
The ability and desire to purchase goods and services;
The automobile reduced the demand for buggywhips
The demand exceeded the supply
Demand
An urgent or peremptory request;
His demands for attention were unceasing
Demand
A condition requiring relief;
She satisfied his need for affection
God has no need of men to accomplish His work
There is a demand for jobs
Demand
The act of demanding;
The kidnapper's exorbitant demands for money
Demand
Required activity;
The requirements of his work affected his health
There were many demands on his time
Demand
Request urgently and forcefully;
The victim's family is demanding compensation
The boss demanded that he be fired immediately
She demanded to see the manager
Demand
Require as useful, just, or proper;
It takes nerve to do what she did
Success usually requires hard work
This job asks a lot of patience and skill
This position demands a lot of personal sacrifice
This dinner calls for a spectacular dessert
This intervention does not postulates a patient's consent
Demand
Claim as due or just;
The bank demanded payment of the loan
Demand
Lay legal claim to
Demand
Summon to court
Demand
Ask to be informed of;
I demand an explanation
Common Curiosities
What is a basic need?
A basic need refers to an essential requirement necessary for survival, such as food, water, and shelter.
How is demand measured in economics?
In economics, demand is measured by demand curves, which show the quantity of goods consumers are willing to buy at various prices.
How do market conditions affect demand?
Market conditions such as price changes, income levels, and consumer preferences directly influence the demand for products and services.
What influences changes in demand?
Factors influencing demand include economic conditions, technological advancements, seasonal trends, and changes in consumer preferences.
What happens when needs are not met?
When basic needs are not met, it can lead to serious consequences such as health problems, decreased quality of life, and even mortality.
How do needs and demands interact?
While independent, in some scenarios, particularly in healthcare and basic utilities, needs can create a foundational level of demand.
What role does income play in determining demand?
Income levels significantly affect demand as they determine a consumer’s purchasing power and ability to fulfill desires.
Can a demand exist without a need?
Yes, demands may not necessarily stem from needs; they often arise from desires that are not essential for survival.
Is every need a demand?
Not every need translates into a demand, particularly in cases where individuals cannot afford to meet their needs.
Why is understanding demand important for businesses?
Understanding demand helps businesses predict market trends, set prices, and manage supply effectively to meet consumer expectations.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
