The monograph explores basic needs of all human beings and considers various patterns of growth and development toward meeting these needs on a sustainable basis. The purpose of the study is to improve knowledge of analytical studies, research results, and financial assistance policies among personnel of the Agency for International Development (AID) and to stimulate discussion between AID personnel and other interested persons. The report is global in scope but the discussion is general and there are few references to specific countries. Chapter I presents a framework for analysis of the basic human needs approach. The framework concentrates on establishing an explicit hierarchy of objectives based on numbers of poor individuals now and in the future, intangible goals, birth rates, material well-being, economic planning, income, production, resources, and employment. Chapter II explores policies that might be suitable in various settings for meeting basic needs in areas of productive employment, income, private goods, and public services. Chapter III analyzes channels through which various policies would affect growth rates of gross national product. A final section suggests that the development process should provide for sustainable improvements over time in the well-being of those who are too poor to satisfy their basic human needs. The conclusion is that the basic needs approach provides a workable framework to link needs, income, employment, production, and supply objectives. (DB)