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
South & Central Asia, Asia
Melting glaciers and shifting rainfall patterns threaten the reliability of hydropower that many countries depend on, while upstream-downstream tensions complicate new dam projects. Diversified renewable portfolios could reduce over-reliance on hydropower alone.
climate-environment
asia
south-central-asia
hydropower
projects
mountainous
face
rising
climate
geopolitical
risks
melting
global-unspecified
institutional
arrangements
reduce
corruption
society-governance
Rapid expansion of universities has sometimes outpaced faculty quality and research infrastructure investment. Stronger accreditation systems and research-funding reform could improve academic standards.
social-civic-problems
asia
systems
quality
research
higher
education
parts
struggle
assurance
output
society-governance
technology-computing
climate-environment
economics-resources
global-unspecified
mathematics-logic
philosophy-ethics
Secondary cities often lack the metro or bus rapid transit systems that ease congestion in capitals, forcing reliance on private vehicles. Lower-cost bus rapid transit models could be replicated more widely.
society-governance
asia
transit
cities
public
coverage
remains
limited
outside
capital
bus
systems
urban
global-unspecified
secondary
african
climate-environment
economics-resources
Rural residents often pay more for slower internet, limiting access to e-commerce, remote work, and online education. Community Wi-Fi cooperatives and subsidized rural data plans could help close this gap.
social-civic-problems
asia
rural
access
online
digital
divide
between
urban
limits
opportunity
african
remains
global-unspecified
economics-resources
society-governance
Banks, hospitals, and government systems are digitizing quickly without matching investment in security infrastructure, creating major breach risks. Affordable managed cybersecurity services for SMEs are an underexplored market.
technology-computing
asia
cybersecurity
capacity
lags
behind
rapid
digitization
several
asian
economies
banks
systems
global-unspecified
society-governance
african
whether
public
Viral misinformation has fueled real-world violence and health misinformation in several countries with weak media literacy programs. Fact-checking tools integrated directly into popular messaging apps could slow its spread.
social-civic-problems
asia
misinformation
media
messaging
apps
spreads
rapidly
social
viral
has
global-unspecified
whether
philosophy-ethics
remains
african
access
society-governance
Weak or absent data-protection laws in some countries leave citizens' personal data vulnerable to misuse by companies and governments alike. Regional data-protection frameworks modeled on best practices could improve safeguards.
society-governance
asia
data
privacy
protections
remain
inconsistent
rapidly
digitizing
asian
economies
data-protection
global-unspecified
technology-computing
african
whether
incomplete
limited
Poor air quality now ranks among the top public health risks in the region, yet cross-border cooperation on solutions remains limited. Regional air-quality monitoring networks and shared mitigation strategies are needed.
climate-environment
asia
india
public-health
air-pollution
air
pollution
crop
burning
vehicle
emissions
creates
severe
seasonal
smog
global-unspecified
society-governance
solutions
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
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
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
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
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
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
