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
Over 80% of workers in countries like India, Bangladesh, and Nepal operate within informal economies without access to pensions, disability insurance, or minimum wage guarantees. Traditional bureaucratic tax and welfare systems fail to track or protect these transient and cash-reliant populations during economic shocks.
economics-resources
asia
india
informal
workers
haven
found
effective
mechanism
extend
formal
social
safety
global-unspecified
systems
african
technology-computing
settlements
High pupil-to-teacher ratios in low-income schools often result in 'learning poverty,' where children complete primary school without basic functional literacy. Current retraining programs for rural educators struggle to scale effectively.
social-civic-problems
asia
cambodia
literacy
primary
haven
successfully
modernised
foundational
numeracy
pedagogy
over-crowded
classrooms
global-unspecified
children
students
low
school
Informal foundries produce cheap cooking pots from scrap aluminum contaminated with high levels of lead and arsenic, which leach into daily meals.
climate-environment
asia
afghanistan
haven
regulated
hazardous
heavy
metals
domestic
food
preparation
cookware
informal
eliminated
urban
economics-resources
groundwater
waste
Groundwater extraction in surrounding agricultural zones causes subtle soil sinkage beneath critical transit corridors, requiring constant costly re-leveling.
climate-environment
asia
china
haven
stopped
industrial
land
subsidence
compromising
high-speed
rail
corridor
foundations
global-unspecified
philosophy-ethics
whether
agricultural
soil
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Patients with chronic lung conditions remain at ongoing risk of repeated bacterial pneumonia infections despite vaccination and preventive care. A more effective, targeted prevention approach remains needed for this vulnerable group.
health-biology
global-unspecified
vaccination
bacterial
pneumonia
patients
chronic
lung
haven
found
way
prevent
recurrence
whether
philosophy-ethics
mathematics-logic
resolved
determine
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Repeated ear infections in young children can sometimes lead to lasting hearing problems if not caught and treated quickly enough. More consistent early detection and treatment access remain incomplete, particularly in underserved areas.
health-biology
global-unspecified
hearing
ear
infections
early
haven
found
reliable
way
prevent
loss
whether
philosophy-ethics
determine
resolved
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some children experience repeated seizures triggered by fever, and current prevention strategies remain limited mostly to managing fever itself rather than addressing the underlying seizure susceptibility. A more effective prevention approach remains needed.
health-biology
global-unspecified
seizures
children
haven
found
reliable
way
prevent
recurrence
febrile
young
whether
philosophy-ethics
determine
resolved
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
This disfiguring and disabling condition continues to affect millions in tropical regions, and while some treatments exist, access remains inconsistent and the underlying infection prevention needs further improvement. Closing this gap remains an ongoing global health priority.
health-biology
global-unspecified
remains
regions
haven
found
effective
affordable
way
treat
elephantiasis
all
whether
philosophy-ethics
mathematics-logic
resolved
determine
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
A subset of patients develop long-lasting pain after surgeries that are usually uncomplicated for most people, and the biological reason for this difference isn't fully understood. Better prediction and prevention could reduce this often overlooked outcome.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
fully
people
develop
pain
haven
found
way
explain
some
chronic
whether
philosophy-ethics
health-biology
resolved
determine
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Persistent dizziness linked to inner ear problems can be difficult to diagnose precisely and treat effectively, leaving many patients with ongoing symptoms. A more reliable, targeted treatment approach remains undeveloped.
health-biology
global-unspecified
treat
dizziness
inner
ear
patients
haven
found
effective
way
chronic
whether
philosophy-ethics
determine
resolved
mathematics-logic
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Subtle cognitive changes often precede a formal dementia diagnosis by years, but current screening tools aren't sensitive enough to reliably catch this earliest stage. Better early detection could open the door to earlier, more effective intervention.
health-biology
global-unspecified
early
cognitive
haven
found
reliable
way
detect
decline
adults
becomes
whether
philosophy-ethics
determine
resolved
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Tinnitus caused by underlying nerve damage is particularly difficult to treat, and current options mostly focus on management strategies like sound therapy rather than addressing the nerve issue directly. A more direct treatment remains undeveloped.
health-biology
global-unspecified
nerve
treat
tinnitus
caused
damage
haven
found
effective
widely
available
whether
philosophy-ethics
way
determine
don
resolved
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Current malaria prevention still depends heavily on physical barriers and insecticides, both of which face growing resistance and logistical challenges in the regions most affected. A more durable prevention method remains an urgent unmet need.
health-biology
global-unspecified
malaria
haven
found
widely
available
way
prevent
transmission
relying
primarily
whether
philosophy-ethics
mathematics-logic
resolved
determine
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Lifestyle interventions can reduce risk for some people, but a meaningful share of high-risk individuals still develop type 2 diabetes despite following recommended prevention advice. A more effective, individualized prevention approach remains needed.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
type
diabetes
high-risk
individuals
haven
found
reliable
way
prevent
development
whether
resolved
health-biology
determine
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Even after successful treatment of the bacteria that commonly causes stomach ulcers, some patients experience recurring ulcers due to other contributing factors. A more comprehensive prevention approach remains needed.
health-biology
global-unspecified
ulcers
patients
haven
found
way
fully
prevent
recurrence
treated
pylori
whether
philosophy-ethics
mathematics-logic
resolved
determine
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Many patients with chronic conditions end up back in the hospital shortly after being discharged, often due to gaps in follow-up care rather than a failure of the original treatment. Better post-discharge support remains an unresolved healthcare system issue.
health-biology
global-unspecified
hospital
chronic
patients
haven
found
reliable
way
prevent
readmissions
disease
whether
philosophy-ethics
mathematics-logic
resolved
determine
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Extended time in a hospital bed, especially in intensive care, can cause significant muscle loss that affects recovery and long-term function. Better prevention methods during hospitalization remain underdeveloped.
health-biology
global-unspecified
muscle
hospital
haven
found
effective
way
prevent
wasting
caused
long
whether
philosophy-ethics
resolved
determine
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Stomach cancer often causes no clear symptoms until it has progressed significantly, particularly in regions without routine screening programs. Earlier, more accessible detection could substantially improve survival outcomes.
health-biology
global-unspecified
stomach
cancer
haven
found
reliable
way
detect
early-stage
becomes
advanced
whether
philosophy-ethics
determine
resolved
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Narcolepsy causes sudden, uncontrollable sleep episodes that significantly disrupt daily life, and current treatments manage symptoms rather than address the underlying cause. A true cure remains undiscovered.
health-biology
global-unspecified
cure
narcolepsy
manage
symptoms
haven
found
way
only
its
medication
philosophy-ethics
whether
determine
mathematics-logic
don
resolved
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Persistent dizziness and balance problems can severely affect quality of life, yet treatment for many chronic cases remains limited and inconsistent. A more reliable, targeted treatment approach remains undeveloped.
health-biology
global-unspecified
cases
chronic
haven
found
effective
way
treat
vertigo
treatment
remains
whether
philosophy-ethics
mathematics-logic
resolved
determine
don