Title: 3 Surprising Countries With No Universities – And Why Date Published: 09 September 2025 Description: In a world where almost every nation prides itself on having at least one university to drive education, research, and innovation, there are rare exceptions.Believe it or not, a handful of countries operate without a single registered university. Instead, they rely on alternative options for higher education.1. Vatican CityVatican City is the world’s smallest sovereign state, covering just 49 hectares and housing fewer than 1,000 residents. It is best known as the headquarters of the Catholic Church and the residence of the Pope.Why No University Exists• Tiny Population & Size: With fewer than 1,000 citizens and a mostly clerical population, there is no practical need for a university.• Religious Structure: Education mainly focuses on priesthood and church administration rather than general higher education.• Land & Security Limitations: Space constraints and strict border controls make large institutions impractical.Although there is no university, Vatican citizens are far from deprived of education. The state is connected to over 15 Catholic universities in Rome, and within Vatican territory, the Ethiopian College trains seminarians from Africa for the priesthood.2. LuxembourgLuxembourg, one of Europe’s smallest and wealthiest nations, lies between France, Germany, and Belgium. With a population of nearly 682,000, it is a modern financial hub with strong international ties.Why No Traditional University Exists• Unique Education Model: Since 1912, Luxembourg has maintained specialised state-owned institutions instead of a single national university.• Multilingual Tradition: Students are trained in Luxembourgish, French, German, and often English, making it easy to study abroad.• European Integration: Its location allows seamless access to universities in neighbouring countries.Instead of a traditional university, Luxembourg operates advanced institutes, professional schools, and lyceums that prepare students to continue studies abroad or pursue specialised careers.3. Eritrea (Honourable Mention)Eritrea, located in the Horn of Africa, has a population of about 3.7 million. Unlike Vatican City and Luxembourg, Eritrea once had a national university: the University of Asmara, established in 1958. For decades, it was the nation’s primary higher education hub.Why It No Longer ExistsIn 2007, the Eritrean government closed the University of Asmara to decentralise higher education by creating specialised colleges nationwide, including:• Eritrea Institute of Technology (Mai Nefhi)• College of Health Sciences\r\n• College of Arts and Social Sciences\r\n• College of Business and EconomicsWhile these colleges award degrees, Eritrea lacks a single unifying university, making it unique among African nations.\r\n\r\n\r\n Attached Images: 776c614f06dd6d0364f7137efbf3fb2ebd9c96b02c0e3761391811286a030ed9.png Attached Video: None