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
Abuse and exploitation go undetected. Stronger reporting and support services are needed.
society-governance
global-unspecified
child
protection
systems
under-resourced
abuse
exploitation
undetected
stronger
reporting
support
public
technology-computing
economics-resources
climate-environment
services
governance
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Indicators cannot be tracked reliably. Capacity-building and digital tools can strengthen data.
sdg-sustainable-development-goals
global-unspecified
data
systems
sdg
monitoring
incomplete
countries
indicators
cannot
tracked
reliably
society-governance
technology-computing
digital
african
economics-resources
whether
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
IP and capacity barriers constrain diffusion. Facilitation platforms and finance can support transfer.
local-regional
global-unspecified
transfer
technology
developing
countries
remains
limited
capacity
barriers
constrain
diffusion
economics-resources
philosophy-ethics
whether
haven
african
mathematics-logic
Millions of traders, many of them women, move goods informally across borders without access to finance, insurance, or formal logistics, limiting their growth potential. Digital trade facilitation tools and simplified customs regimes tailored to small traders could unlock inclusive growth.
economics-resources
africa
trade
informal
cross-border
remains
large
but
poorly
supported
traders
african
digital
global-unspecified
technology-computing
access
low
Film, music, and gaming sectors are growing rapidly but creators struggle to access capital and global digital platforms to monetize their work. Regional creative-industry funds and rights-management platforms could help scale talent.
technology-computing
africa
african
creative
industries
lack
sufficient
financing
distribution
infrastructure
platforms
film
digital
global-unspecified
remains
economics-resources
access
low
Dependency on imported medicines increases vulnerability to global supply shocks and raises prices. Regional pharma manufacturing hubs and harmonized regulatory standards could improve medicine security.
local-regional
africa
manufacturing
local
pharmaceutical
capacity
remains
limited
dependency
imported
medicines
global-unspecified
african
economics-resources
access
whether
supply
asia
Smart-city initiatives often launch without robust cybersecurity planning, leaving infrastructure vulnerable to cyber attacks. City-level cyber-resilience frameworks and local incident-response teams are needed.
technology-computing
africa
cybersecurity
african
cities
face
increasing
risks
digitize
public
services
smart-city
society-governance
economics-resources
global-unspecified
infrastructure
urban
systems
Mortgage products often require formal employment and high down payments that many cannot meet, pushing families into informal housing. Micro-mortgage products and cooperative housing finance could extend access.
economics-resources
africa
housing
access
finance
affordable
limited
low-income
households
products
mortgage
social-civic-problems
global-unspecified
african
informal
remains
low
Wheelchairs, hearing aids, and screen readers are often unaffordable or unavailable, restricting mobility and employment. Local manufacturing and inclusive design startups could expand access.
economics-resources
africa
access
assistive
technologies
people
disabilities
remains
extremely
limited
wheelchairs
global-unspecified
african
social-civic-problems
low
affordable
inclusive
whether
Fruit, vegetables, and fish often spoil before reaching international markets due to temperature breaks along the supply chain. Investment in integrated cold-chain infrastructure and IoT monitoring could reduce losses.
economics-resources
africa
supply-chain
cold-chain
logistics
perishable
exports
remain
underdeveloped
fruit
vegetables
fish
african
global-unspecified
cold
chain
local-regional
vaccines
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
High-pressure startup environments with little support contribute to burnout and depression. Peer-support networks and confidential counseling services for founders could improve wellbeing.
climate-environment
africa
support
access
mental-health
entrepreneurs
limited
high-pressure
startup
environments
little
global-unspecified
african
remains
low
society-governance
economics-resources
lack
Owning machinery is too expensive, and rental markets are fragmented and unreliable. Uber-style machinery-sharing platforms could increase mechanization at lower cost.
economics-resources
africa
mechanization
african
farmers
have
limited
access
services
owning
machinery
too
global-unspecified
remains
lack
technology-computing
low
urban
Diaspora members interested in supporting ventures back home struggle to find vetted opportunities. Curated diaspora investment platforms with transparent due diligence could mobilize capital.
economics-resources
africa
diaspora
investment
african
local
startups
constrained
information
trust
gaps
members
technology-computing
reducing
transfer
communities
global-unspecified
remains
Minibus taxis and motorcycle cabs are central to mobility but often ignored in formal planning, causing congestion and safety issues. Data-driven integration of informal transport into city plans could improve systems.
local-regional
africa
urban-planning
planning
informal
transport
african
urban
frequently
fails
integrate
modes
minibus
systems
settlements
economics-resources
society-governance
technology-computing
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
open
Sahel & Horn of Africa, Africa
Mobile coverage and services often bypass nomadic populations, limiting access to markets and services. Tailored mobile solutions and satellite connectivity could include them.
science-space
africa
sahel-horn-of-africa
african
pastoralist
communities
face
digital
exclusion
mobile
services
coverage
often
access
social-civic-problems
economics-resources
society-governance
technology-computing
Pretrial detention and harsh conditions contribute to recidivism rather than reintegration. Alternative sentencing and vocational training programs could improve outcomes.
economics-resources
africa
programs
african
prisons
suffer
overcrowding
poor
rehabilitation
pretrial
detention
harsh
global-unspecified
access
remains
social-civic-problems
training
education
Patients' data is scattered across paper files and disconnected systems, hindering continuity of care. Interoperable EMR platforms tailored to low-resource settings could improve outcomes.
health-biology
africa
systems
interoperable
african
health
lack
electronic
medical
records
patients
data
society-governance
technology-computing
global-unspecified
economics-resources
climate-environment
whether
Limited safe transport options restrict access to markets, health facilities, and education. Women-focused transport cooperatives and safe-ride services could ease constraints.
social-civic-problems
africa
transport
constraints
women
african
rural
areas
face
mobility
limited
safe
access
global-unspecified
remains
low
urban
economics-resources