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.
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4194Total
4194Open
0Solved
9Humans
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
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
Sieges and insecurity restrict aid delivery, leaving populations at risk of famine. Secure, monitored humanitarian corridors and local food-production support are vital.
economics-resources
global-unspecified
insecurity
humanitarian
conflict
zones
face
acute
food
limited
access
sieges
migrant
worker
corridors
african
lack
low
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Communities already losing land and livelihoods see little support. Operationalizing loss-and-damage funds is critical.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
loss
damage
climate
impacts
lack
clear
compensation
mechanisms
communities
already
economics-resources
society-governance
african
relocation
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Communities lack timely information on risks. Low-cost monitoring and alerts can save lives.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
climate
data
early-warning
systems
sparse
regions
communities
lack
timely
information
society-governance
technology-computing
african
monitoring
under
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Local livelihoods are squeezed. Preferential access and co-management can support them.
economics-resources
global-unspecified
small-scale
fishers
face
competition
industrial
fleets
local
livelihoods
squeezed
preferential
society-governance
african
fast
growing
remains
climate-environment
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Dependence on fishing increases vulnerability. Blue-economy diversification can help.
economics-resources
global-unspecified
coastal
communities
lack
alternative
livelihoods
fisheries
decline
dependence
fishing
increases
african
climate-environment
society-governance
climate
Millions of workers in transport, delivery, and informal retail have no protection against accidents or income shocks. Micro-insurance products linked to daily transactions could extend coverage.
economics-resources
africa
products
informal
workers
insurance
african
gig-economy
participants
rare
millions
transport
settlements
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
local
climate-environment
might
Lack of formal addresses complicates delivery, emergency response, and financial inclusion. Digital addressing using GPS and community verification could solve this efficiently.
technology-computing
africa
reliable
address
systems
missing
african
cities
rural
areas
lack
formal
society-governance
digital
global-unspecified
access
urban
Overfishing and climate shocks leave fishers economically exposed without alternative income sources. Blue-economy entrepreneurship programs could create new coastal jobs.
economics-resources
africa
coastal
african
communities
lack
diversified
livelihoods
beyond
fishing
overfishing
climate
climate-environment
global-unspecified
protection
Sparse populations and poor roads make rural delivery expensive, limiting e-commerce expansion beyond cities. Shared rural delivery hubs and route-optimization software could reduce costs.
technology-computing
africa
delivery
rural
costs
african
logistics
startups
face
high
last-mile
low-density
economics-resources
access
remains
public
urban
global-unspecified
Unregulated over-the-counter antibiotic sales and heavy use in livestock farming are breeding drug-resistant bacteria. Point-of-care rapid diagnostics could reduce unnecessary prescriptions.
health-biology
asia
antimicrobial
resistance
accelerating
due
overuse
antibiotics
asian
healthcare
agriculture
unregulated
global-unspecified
haven
rapid
building
affordable
early
Cities like Karachi, Dhaka, and Chennai face chronic shortages and rely heavily on costly tanker deliveries. Rainwater harvesting mandates and leak-reduction technology could ease urban water stress.
climate-environment
asia
south-asia
urban
water
systems
south
asian
megacities
cannot
keep
pace
population
cities
african
global-unspecified
heat
haven
open
South & Southeast Asia, Asia
Conflict-displaced populations, such as Rohingya refugees, frequently live for years without structured schooling options. Modular, portable classroom programs designed for refugee camps could restore learning continuity.
social-civic-problems
asia
south-southeast-asia
refugee
displaced
children
parts
often
lack
any
access
formal
global-unspecified
education
african
low
remains
open
South & Southeast Asia, Asia
Millions live in slums lacking secure tenure, clean water, or sanitation despite being near major urban economic centers. Incremental slum-upgrading programs are more effective and humane than demolition-based approaches.
economics-resources
asia
south-southeast-asia
informal
settlements
continue
expand
faster
formal
housing
south
southeast
asian
urban
african
global-unspecified
cities
water
Many older buildings in seismic zones like Nepal, Indonesia, and Turkey do not meet modern earthquake-resistant standards. Retrofit financing programs and stricter enforced building codes could save many lives.
economics-resources
asia
indonesia
building
earthquake
disaster
resilience
asian
stock
remains
inadequate
older
buildings
climate-environment
social-civic-problems
global-unspecified
standards
future
Ride-hailing and delivery platform workers often have no formal contracts, benefits, or dispute-resolution mechanisms. Portable benefits platforms tied to worker digital IDs could extend protections across platforms.
technology-computing
asia
workers
digital
protections
gig
economy
lack
labor
benefits
platforms
economics-resources
african
global-unspecified
informal
open
Southeast Asia, Asia
Warming waters, pollution, and destructive fishing practices are damaging reefs that millions depend on for fishing and tourism income. Coral restoration projects and marine protected area enforcement need expanded funding.
climate-environment
asia
southeast-asia
biodiversity
coral
marine
reef
degradation
threatens
coastal
livelihoods
southeast
fishing
communities
economics-resources
global-unspecified
bleaching
near
open
Central & East Asia, Asia
Overgrazing and unsustainable land use are turning productive land into desert, threatening herding communities' livelihoods. Large-scale reforestation and sustainable grazing management programs could slow the spread.
economics-resources
asia
central-east-asia
desert
desertification
spreading
parts
central
east
including
edges
gobi
communities
land
climate-environment
global-unspecified
remain
african