Artur Manfred Max Neef (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈmaɱfɾeð maks]; 26 October 1932 – 8 August 2019) was a Chilean economist of German descent.

"[1] Max-Neef was born on 26 October 1932 in Valparaíso, Chile, the son of Magdalena Sophie Neef, a humanities and music student, and Alfred Wilhelm Hermann Max, an economist.

[3] Max-Neef traveled through Latin America and the United States, as a visiting professor in various universities, as well as living with and researching the poor.

[4] Due to the 1973 military coup in Chile, he sought refuge in Argentina, Canada, the United States, and Europe.

"[5]In 1981, Max-Neef wrote From the Outside Looking In: Experiences in Barefoot Economics, a narrative of his travels among the poor in South America.

On 10 May 2009, he received an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters and was Commencement Speaker to the 158th Graduating Class of Saint Francis University.