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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4094Total
4094Open
0Solved
9Humans
open
South & Southeast Asia, Asia
Rising temperatures combined with high humidity are pushing some regions toward conditions where outdoor work becomes dangerous. Heat-early-warning systems and outdoor worker protection policies need urgent development.
climate-environment
asia
south-southeast-asia
extreme
heatwaves
becoming
frequent
deadly
south
southeast
outdoor
rising
systems
economics-resources
society-governance
real
time
predicting
Weak institutional oversight allows officials to siphon funds meant for infrastructure and social services. Open-data procurement platforms and civic-tech accountability tools have shown promise in exposing graft.
society-governance
asia
corruption
continues
divert
public
resources
several
asian
countries
weak
institutional
procurement
systems
technology-computing
governance
global-unspecified
accountability
Governments in several countries have tightened control over media and online speech, limiting independent journalism and civic discourse. Secure, censorship-resistant publishing platforms could help protect independent reporting.
society-governance
asia
freedom
press
expression
face
growing
restrictions
parts
independent
governments
global-unspecified
philosophy-ethics
whether
determine
resolved
haven
mathematics-logic
open
South & Southeast Asia, Asia
Without citizenship or identity documents, affected populations cannot access education, healthcare, or formal employment. Digital identity verification systems designed for displaced populations could restore basic rights access.
social-civic-problems
asia
south-southeast-asia
statelessness
lack
legal
documentation
affect
millions
including
rohingya
identity
digital
society-governance
global-unspecified
access
systems
technology-computing
Ongoing tensions over areas like the South China Sea, Kashmir, and various Central Asian borders create persistent instability risks. Multilateral dispute-resolution frameworks and confidence-building data-sharing mechanisms could reduce tensions.
local-regional
asia
china
border
territorial
disputes
remain
unresolved
flashpoints
several
parts
tensions
rural
persist
south
remains
gaps
african
open
South & Southeast Asia, Asia
Economic desperation and weak law enforcement enable trafficking for forced labor and exploitation across the region. Cross-border data-sharing and victim-support digital platforms could improve detection and rescue.
technology-computing
asia
south-southeast-asia
trafficking
human
networks
continue
exploit
vulnerable
populations
south
southeast
digital
global-unspecified
society-governance
african
economics-resources
labor
open
Southeast Asia, Asia
Weak enforcement capacity has allowed scam operations, sometimes linked to trafficking, to flourish in the region. Coordinated regional cybercrime task forces and stronger digital forensics capacity are urgently needed.
local-regional
asia
southeast-asia
cybercrime
has
regional
originating
parts
southeast
grown
major
global-unspecified
african
remains
africa
digital
illegal
Long-standing grievances in regions like Myanmar and parts of South Asia periodically escalate into violence and displacement. Community-level reconciliation programs paired with inclusive economic development could ease tensions.
social-civic-problems
asia
myanmar
tensions
parts
ethnic
religious
continue
fuel
conflict
several
long-standing
rural
global-unspecified
african
remains
south
remain
Understaffed courts and outdated processes mean cases can take over a decade to resolve, undermining access to justice. Digital case-management systems and virtual hearings could significantly speed up processing.
society-governance
asia
south-asia
cases
systems
judicial
backlogs
leave
millions
pending
south
asian
court
technology-computing
economics-resources
global-unspecified
digital
whether
Frequent earthquakes, floods, and typhoons overwhelm response systems that lack modern early-warning and coordination technology. Regional disaster-data sharing platforms could improve response speed and reduce casualties.
climate-environment
asia
response
coordination
disaster
preparedness
remain
weak
several
disaster-prone
asian
countries
systems
society-governance
technology-computing
global-unspecified
public
health-biology
Ongoing tensions involving nuclear-armed states in the region require careful diplomatic management to prevent escalation. Track-two diplomacy platforms and transparent verification mechanisms can support de-escalation efforts.
local-regional
asia
nuclear
proliferation
risk
remains
persistent
regional
security
concern
parts
society-governance
global-unspecified
public
registries
governance
interest
whether
Formal job creation has not kept pace with the large number of young graduates entering the workforce each year. Skills-matching platforms and support for youth entrepreneurship could help absorb this workforce.
economics-resources
asia
youth
unemployment
remains
persistently
high
several
fast-growing
asian
economies
workforce
global-unspecified
africa
technology-computing
countries
rural
open
South & Southeast Asia, Asia
The majority of workers lack formal contracts, social security, or legal protections, leaving them vulnerable to economic shocks. Digital tools that gradually formalize small businesses without heavy bureaucracy could extend protections.
economics-resources
asia
south-southeast-asia
informal
economy
dominates
employment
south
southeast
protections
majority
workers
african
global-unspecified
digital
technology-computing
lack
Women in many Asian countries earn less and participate in the formal workforce far less than men, despite comparable education levels. Flexible work policies and affordable childcare infrastructure could improve participation rates.
social-civic-problems
asia
workforce
participation
gender
pay
gaps
disparities
remain
significant
less
economics-resources
global-unspecified
society-governance
remains
education
interventions
haven
Social stigma and weak legal enforcement discourage survivors from seeking help or justice in many communities. Anonymous reporting apps linked directly to support services have improved reporting rates where deployed.
society-governance
asia
domestic
gender-based
violence
remains
widespread
underreported
parts
reporting
social
global-unspecified
gender
based
african
whether
Investor bias and limited networks mean women-led startups often struggle to raise capital compared to male-led ventures. Women-focused funding platforms and accelerator programs are helping to close this gap gradually.
economics-resources
asia
funding
female
entrepreneurs
receive
disproportionately
small
share
venture
investor
african
global-unspecified
remains
africa
access
technology-computing
lack
Economic growth has disproportionately benefited urban elites, leaving rural and lower-income populations behind. Progressive tax reform and targeted rural investment programs could help redistribute growth benefits.
economics-resources
asia
wealth
inequality
widening
several
rapidly
growing
asian
economies
growth
rural
urban
african
global-unspecified
access
remains
infrastructure
Weak enforcement means inventors and creators often see their work copied without compensation, discouraging R&D investment. Streamlined regional patent systems could better protect innovators.
local-regional
asia
intellectual
property
piracy
discourages
innovation
commercialization
several
asian
markets
weak
systems
society-governance
african
africa
often
public
Rising automation and shifting global supply chains threaten the labor-intensive manufacturing jobs many economies rely on. Reskilling programs and diversification into services and technology sectors are needed.
economics-resources
asia
supply-chain
economies
automation
manufacturing-dependent
asian
face
disruption
risk
reshoring
trends
rising
global-unspecified
technology-computing
african
whether
displacement
Traditional family-based elder support is eroding as smaller family sizes and urban migration become the norm. Portable, government-backed pension expansion is urgently needed to prevent old-age poverty.
society-governance
asia
east-asia
poverty
family
support
elderly
rising
east
asian
countries
shrinking
networks
systems
economics-resources
global-unspecified
african
pension
