This Country Has No Hospitals, No Births Registered In 96 Years
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This country has not seen a single birth since its formation in 1929. With no hospital, critically ill individuals must travel to Rome for medical care
The country also boasts the world’s smallest railway station. (News18 Hindi)
India’s journey to becoming the world’s most populous nation has been influenced by family planning slogans like “Hum Do, Humare Do“. However, a stark contrast exists in a country where no child has been born for 96 years – a place even devoid of a hospital.
One may wonder which country in the 21st century does not have a hospital. However, such a country does exist, despite being one of the smallest recognised countries. This country is home to the head of the Roman Catholic Church.
Vatican City is the smallest country in the world. The surprising thing about this country is that not a single child has been born there to date. This country was formed on 11 February 1929, but since then no children have been born there.
All Catholic churches and Catholic Christians worldwide consider it their root. The Catholic Church, its priests, and major religious leaders globally are overseen from this location.
Since this country’s formation, no hospital has been constructed. Despite numerous requests, a hospital has never been built. Consequently, critically ill individuals or expectant mothers must travel to Rome for medical attention. This is despite the country’s location in the heart of Rome.
The decision against establishing a hospital within Vatican City may be attributed to its limited geographical size and the availability of high-quality medical facilities in neighbouring Rome. Vatican City encompasses a mere 118 acres, necessitating the transfer of all patients requiring medical attention to clinics and hospitals in Rome.
Additionally, the absence of a maternity ward within Vatican City precludes childbirth within its borders. This circumstance likely explains why no births have been recorded in the country for 96 years.
Despite a population of only 800-900 inhabitants, comprising primarily senior Roman Catholic clergy, Vatican City experiences a surprisingly high crime rate compared to other nations. This anomaly is attributed to the significant influx of millions of foreign tourists, who are often targets of personal crimes. Common offences include shoplifting, purse snatching, and pickpocketing.
Vatican City boasts the world’s smallest railway station. This station, named Citta Vaticano, comprises two tracks, each extending 300 metres in length. Constructed during the reign of Pope Pius XI, the railway line and station are exclusively designated for cargo transportation. Notably, regular passenger trains do not operate within Vatican City.
The Pitcairn Islands, a British overseas territory, has a population of fewer than 50. Consequently, no births have been registered there for several years.
Apart from these two, no one else has been born in Antarctica. While it is a continent, it is not a sovereign country. Furthermore, births are uncommon there, as the area is primarily designated for scientific research.