In codes written before GFCI, making sure you can't electrocute yourself by accident could be achieved by:

a) establishing a minimum distance between the sources of water and electrical switches that would have to be measured, inspected carefully, be expensive to re-do, and possibly not be practical inside a small bathroom, or

b) requiring the switch to be outside the room

Some locales chose b, and never updated.

All bathrooms I've been in the UK have had a hanging cord for the pull light switch, this enables usage of the light inside the bathroom.

I've not seen a switch outside the bathroom since university.

Here's a scenario: you took a nice long hot bath. It got dark outside. You get out and want to turn on the light. Do you want to open the door and let the cold air in? Do you need to cover yourself first?

Crack the door open, reach through and flip the switch. It's only going to be momentarily cold and if covering is required a quick wrap of the towel will suffice.

I take your point though :)

None of the above; I use the pull cord switch to turn the light on

I've been in a multi-stall public bathroom where a person leaving turned off all the lights. For private bathrooms, I would much prefer to have the light control fully within my control while I am inside the bathroom.