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
The problem of multi-year funding remaining rare continues to affect hundreds of millions of people and undermines progress on multiple Sustainable Development Goals. Existing responses remain fragmented, under-resourced and poorly adapted to local contexts. A strong solution must operate effectively under severe constraints of skilled personnel, infrastructure, electricity and connectivity. It should define clear measurable outcomes, identify possible unintended harms, and demonstrate how the intervention can be sustained by local institutions long after initial funding ends.
funding
multi
year
remaining
rare
other
The problem of phones dying after two years continues to affect hundreds of millions of people and undermines progress on multiple Sustainable Development Goals. Existing responses remain fragmented, under-resourced and poorly adapted to local contexts. A strong solution must operate effectively under severe constraints of skilled personnel, infrastructure, electricity and connectivity. It should define clear measurable outcomes, identify possible unintended harms, and demonstrate how the intervention can be sustained by local institutions long after initial funding ends.
after
sustainable
phones
dying
two
other
Addressing justice delayed for years is critical for achieving the 2030 Agenda. Current efforts fall short in scale, speed and equity, leaving the most vulnerable behind. Any viable solution must function in low-resource settings with limited specialists, transport, laboratory capacity and broadband. Proposals should specify quantifiable biological, social or environmental outcomes, openly discuss potential risks, and present a realistic pathway for long-term maintenance and local ownership beyond short research pilots.
justice
delayed
years
2030
creating
mathematics-logic
The problem of languages dying every year continues to affect hundreds of millions of people and undermines progress on multiple Sustainable Development Goals. Existing responses remain fragmented, under-resourced and poorly adapted to local contexts. A strong solution must operate effectively under severe constraints of skilled personnel, infrastructure, electricity and connectivity. It should define clear measurable outcomes, identify possible unintended harms, and demonstrate how the intervention can be sustained by local institutions long after initial funding ends.
sustainable
languages
dying
every
year
other
asylum processes that take years remains one of the most urgent challenges of our time. Systems currently in place are inadequate for the scale and complexity of the problem. A successful approach must work where resources are scarcest and demonstrate clear, measurable results. It should identify possible harms, respect local agency, and show how the solution can be maintained and expanded by the communities it is meant to serve.
asylum
processes
take
years
building
other
Addressing court cases taking years to resolve is critical for achieving the 2030 Agenda. Current efforts fall short in scale, speed and equity, leaving the most vulnerable behind. Any viable solution must function in low-resource settings with limited specialists, transport, laboratory capacity and broadband. Proposals should specify quantifiable biological, social or environmental outcomes, openly discuss potential risks, and present a realistic pathway for long-term maintenance and local ownership beyond short research pilots.
court
cases
taking
years
resolve
mathematics-logic
The problem of lakes shrinking year after year continues to affect hundreds of millions of people and undermines progress on multiple Sustainable Development Goals. Existing responses remain fragmented, under-resourced and poorly adapted to local contexts. A strong solution must operate effectively under severe constraints of skilled personnel, infrastructure, electricity and connectivity. It should define clear measurable outcomes, identify possible unintended harms, and demonstrate how the intervention can be sustained by local institutions long after initial funding ends.
year
after
lakes
shrinking
building
other
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Once login credentials are leaked in a breach, they often remain accessible and exploitable for attackers on illicit marketplaces for years afterward, long after the original breach was reported. Meaningfully reducing this lingering exposure remains unresolved.
local-regional
global-unspecified
exploitable
years
haven
solved
prevent
large-scale
credential
leaks
remaining
searchable
whether
philosophy-ethics
way
mathematics-logic
resolved
technology-computing
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Many connected devices become permanently vulnerable once their manufacturer stops issuing security updates, yet the devices often remain in active use for years afterward. A sustainable way to keep abandoned devices secure remains unresolved.
local-regional
global-unspecified
devices
updates
once
haven
solved
make
firmware
older
iot
continue
whether
philosophy-ethics
mathematics-logic
technology-computing
way
resolved
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some of the internet's most widely used open-source components are maintained by very few volunteers, and serious vulnerabilities have been found lurking undetected for years in code millions of systems depend on. Better resourcing and review processes for open-source security remain inconsistently funded.
technology-computing
global-unspecified
open-source
vulnerabilities
widely
years
haven
solved
prevent
critical
software
libraries
whether
philosophy-ethics
way
resolved
mathematics-logic
determine
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Cybersecurity threats evolve quickly, but training programs for both professionals and everyday users often lag years behind the tactics attackers are actually using. Closing this education gap remains an ongoing structural challenge.
technology-computing
global-unspecified
cybersecurity
training
haven
solved
make
keep
pace
constantly
evolving
attack
whether
philosophy-ethics
mathematics-logic
way
resolved
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Many users experience nausea, eye strain, or disorientation after even moderate use of virtual reality headsets, a problem that hasn't been fully solved despite years of hardware improvements. This limits how widely VR can be adopted for work or daily use.
health-biology
global-unspecified
virtual
reality
yet
make
comfortable
enough
people
extended
periods
discomfort
whether
philosophy-ethics
mathematics-logic
haven
technology-computing
solved
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Over the next 10–20 years, biosensors will track vital signs, metabolites, and behaviours, but analytics and integration into care will lag. Edge-computing and clinically validated algorithms will be needed.
technology-computing
global-unspecified
will
wearable
implantable
sensors
generate
continuous
health
data
underused
over
health-biology
climate-environment
society-governance
climate
new
economics-resources
open
South America / Unspecified, South America
South American economies grow around 2% per year on average, below global trends, making poverty reduction and fiscal sustainability difficult. Scenario-modelling tools and inclusive industrial-policy platforms can help governments design more resilient growth strategies.
society-governance
south-america
south-america-unspecified
poverty-reduction
growth
latin
america
continues
experience
slow
volatile
economic
south
american
global-unspecified
economics-resources
african
urban
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Resonances and perturbations can destabilize orbits over billions of years. N-body simulations and long-term observation campaigns can test stability.
society-governance
global-unspecified
long-term
stability
multi-planet
exoplanet
systems
poorly
constrained
resonances
perturbations
destabilize
long
term
climate-environment
ensuring
mathematics-logic
whether
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Conflict and displacement disrupt education pathways. Portable learning records and camp-based schools can maintain continuity.
social-civic-problems
global-unspecified
refugee
displaced
children
often
lose
years
schooling
conflict
displacement
disrupt
education
providing
african
health-biology
digital
asia
open
South & Southeast Asia, Asia
Vehicle emissions, crop burning, and industrial smoke create hazardous smog seasons in cities like Delhi and Jakarta. Low-cost air-purification tech and stricter enforceable emission-trading systems are needed.
climate-environment
asia
south-southeast-asia
air-pollution
air
pollution
south
southeast
asian
megacities
causes
millions
premature
deaths
global-unspecified
african
urban
cities
Depression and anxiety are widely underreported due to social taboos, leaving many untreated for years. Anonymous digital counseling platforms tailored to local languages could lower the barrier to seeking help.
technology-computing
asia
mental-health
seeking
mental
health
stigma
asian
cultures
prevents
people
care
depression
health-biology
global-unspecified
access
remains
african
Out-of-pocket medical expenses remain extremely high in countries without universal coverage, forcing families to sell assets during health crises. Affordable micro-health-insurance products could reduce this financial shock.
economics-resources
asia
families
healthcare
costs
driving
millions
asian
poverty
each
year
out-of-pocket
global-unspecified
health-biology
african
health
social-civic-problems
affordable
open
South & Southeast Asia, Asia
Poor drainage infrastructure and unplanned urban growth in flood-prone areas worsen the damage each year. Predictive flood-modeling tools and resilient housing design could reduce displacement.
climate-environment
asia
south-southeast-asia
flooding
monsoon
rains
cyclones
displaces
millions
south
southeast
annually
urban
global-unspecified
african
cities
infrastructure
remains