Repository of problems worth solving
World Solve is a public institutional repository for identifying real unresolved problems across science, society, health, governance, economics, and local systems. Each entry is intended to be citable, inspectable, and actionable.
Publicly citable
Every problem has a stable citation code for reference and discussion.
Filtered by relevance
Search by category, geography, status, and keywords.
Builder-oriented
Use the repository to find startup ideas, policy leads, and research agendas.
4194Total
4194Open
0Solved
9Humans
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
These millisecond bursts of radio energy come from cosmological distances, but their progenitors are uncertain, ranging from magnetars to exotic compact objects. Coordinated multi-wavelength observations and rapid follow-up networks could identify their sources.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
radio
bursts
nature
fast
remains
mysterious
these
millisecond
energy
come
science-space
resolved
whether
know
philosophy-ethics
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Moons like Europa and Enceladus may harbor oceans beneath ice, but we do not know their chemical gradients or energy sources. Cryobot and plume-sampling missions could test for conditions suitable for life.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
lack
precise
constraints
habitability
subsurface
ocean
worlds
moons
like
europa
know
philosophy-ethics
whether
mathematics-logic
don
determine
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
We have detected a handful of mergers, but their cosmic history and diversity remain unclear. Next-generation detectors with wider frequency coverage can map the gravitational-wave background.
science-space
global-unspecified
gravitational-wave
cosmic
exact
rate
mechanisms
sources
time
unknown
have
detected
know
dark
remain
matter
lack
explain
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Inflationary models explain early expansion but differ in predictions for primordial fluctuations and multiverse scenarios. Precision measurements of the cosmic microwave background and primordial gravitational waves could distinguish models.
economics-resources
global-unspecified
cosmic
fine
details
inflation
remain
speculative
models
primordial
inflationary
explain
science-space
know
climate-environment
have
society-governance
dark
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Ultra-high-energy cosmic rays’ origins remain unclear, challenging acceleration models. Distributed detector arrays and multi-messenger astronomy could identify sources.
science-space
global-unspecified
cosmic
rays
lack
unified
explanation
high-energy
above
knee
ultra-high-energy
origins
know
remain
mechanisms
dark
matter
source
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Existing tests focus on known-answer questions rather than open research tasks. Benchmarks that evaluate models on genuine research subtasks can guide development.
society-governance
global-unspecified
benchmarks
lack
robust
systems
performing
frontier
scientific
reasoning
research
existing
economics-resources
climate-environment
governance
technology-computing
ensuring
models
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Mechanisms behind superconductivity in cuprates and iron-based materials remain contested. Combined experimental and theoretical work is needed to unlock room-temperature materials.
science-space
global-unspecified
superconductivity
not
fully
understand
high-temperature
materials
mechanisms
behind
cuprates
iron-based
mathematics-logic
reuse
might
local
actors
economics-resources
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Engineering constraints and ethical questions hinder development. Research into autonomous systems and governance frameworks could move concepts forward.
society-governance
global-unspecified
self-replicating
robotic
probes
galactic
exploration
remain
theoretical
engineering
constraints
ethical
systems
governance
solutions
economics-resources
ensuring
frameworks
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Timing and sources of reionization remain uncertain. 21cm experiments and high-z galaxy observations can map it.
science-space
global-unspecified
reionization
not
fully
understand
cosmic
history
timing
sources
remain
uncertain
know
matter
actually
dark
what
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Economic growth has not been inclusive enough, leaving large groups in informal, low-paying work without safety nets. Targeted cash transfers and universal basic social protection floors could reduce extreme poverty.
economics-resources
global-unspecified
growth
millions
live
less
day
despite
decades
economic
has
not
informal
african
settlements
society-governance
work
social
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Informal workers and rural populations often have no access to unemployment insurance or pensions. Digital ID-linked social security schemes can extend coverage at lower administrative cost.
economics-resources
global-unspecified
social
coverage
protection
remains
limited
low-income
countries
informal
workers
rural
african
digital
access
philosophy-ethics
whether
have
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Conflict and weak institutions prevent effective delivery of education, health, and infrastructure in fragile contexts. Resilient service-delivery models using local NGOs and digital tools are needed.
economics-resources
global-unspecified
fragile
states
struggle
deliver
basic
services
reduce
poverty
conflict
weak
society-governance
technology-computing
digital
public
african
institutions
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Migrants move to cities seeking work but end up in slums with precarious livelihoods and poor services. Slum-upgrading programs linked to livelihood support can break this cycle.
economics-resources
global-unspecified
cities
urban
poverty
growing
informal
settlements
even
expand
migrants
move
climate-environment
african
water
systems
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Floods, droughts, and storms repeatedly erase assets for low-income families. Climate-resilient housing and micro-insurance products can help absorb shocks.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
shocks
climate
push
households
back
poverty
modest
gains
floods
droughts
economics-resources
products
income
against
community
scale
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Large cohorts of young people cannot find decent work, especially in rural areas. Skills-matching platforms and youth enterprise support can help.
economics-resources
global-unspecified
poverty-reduction
youth
unemployment
low-income
countries
undermines
poverty
reduction
large
cohorts
young
remains
rural
africa
asia
african
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
People with disabilities face extra costs and barriers but are often excluded from mainstream social protection schemes. Inclusive targeting criteria and assistive-technology subsidies are needed.
economics-resources
global-unspecified
disability-inclusive
poverty
programs
rare
people
disabilities
face
extra
costs
barriers
social-civic-problems
access
inclusive
african
remains
systems
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Land dispossession and marginalization reduce access to livelihood opportunities for indigenous groups. Community-led land rights and livelihood programs can address this.
economics-resources
global-unspecified
indigenous
communities
remain
disproportionately
affected
poverty
land
livelihood
dispossession
marginalization
society-governance
climate-environment
lack
african
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Poor maternal nutrition and inadequate diets cause long-term cognitive and health impacts. Integrated nutrition programs combining food, health, and education services can reduce stunting.
social-civic-problems
global-unspecified
stunting
child
remains
high
low
middle-income
countries
nutrition
health
poor
health-biology
climate-environment
access
african
economics-resources
whether
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Low farm-gate prices and lack of bargaining power keep farmer incomes below subsistence levels. Producer cooperatives and transparent digital marketplaces can improve prices.
economics-resources
global-unspecified
incomes
smallholder
farmers
struggle
earn
living
food
production
prices
low
african
technology-computing
lack
digital
access
climate-environment
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Weak storage, transport, and retail systems let food spoil while hunger persists. Cold-chain investment and circular food-business models can reduce loss.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
food
loss
waste
account
third
production
weak
storage
transport
systems
society-governance
whether
philosophy-ethics
reducing
economics-resources
