Minimal needs (economics)

Minimal needs is the minimal amount of finances or resources an individual needs in order to survive, and does not constitute any additional items (EG entertainment). It does include however things such as housing, health, cleaning and things necessary to basic survival.

Differences
Different individuals have different minimal needs, for example, parents have different minimal needs than single individuals. Different areas also affect the minimal needs of the individual, for example, food may be cheaper in the countryside.

Therefore, true minimal needs cannot be averaged out and would have to, in theory, be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.