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. 2025 May 23;17(5):e84674.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.84674. eCollection 2025 May.

A Decade of Urology Residency Match Trends: Growth, Competition, and Diversity

Abdul-Jawad J Majeed  1 , Dennis Head  1 , Jay D Raman  1
Affiliations

A Decade of Urology Residency Match Trends: Growth, Competition, and Diversity

Abdul-Jawad J Majeed et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Introduction Urology residency positions in the United States are filled through an early, independent match process administered by the American Urological Association (AUA). As a highly competitive specialty, understanding long-term trends in matching outcomes and applicant demographics is essential for workforce planning and equity. This study analyzed trends in match rates, applicant characteristics, and training capacity from 2015 to 2024. Methods Publicly available AUA match data from 2015 to 2024 were analyzed. Variables included applicant counts, residency positions, match rates, medical training status, sex, and race/ethnicity for 2024. Statistical analyses included linear regression, correlation, Chi-square tests, and ANOVA to assess trends and subgroup differences. Results Residency positions increased by 33% over the study period (296 in 2015 to 394 in 2024, +11 per year, p<0.001), with applicants rising from 433 to 500 (+13 per year, p=0.01). The overall match rate averaged 75% (±5.7%) and remained stable over time. First-time medical seniors had significantly higher match rates (81%) than previous graduates (59%) and international graduates (33%) (p<0.001). The number of female applicants nearly doubled, comprising 40.6% of the 2024 pool, with match rates exceeding those of males in recent cycles. In 2024, Black and Hispanic applicants had lower match rates compared to their White and Asian peers. Conclusion The urology match has grown but remains highly competitive. While gender diversity has improved, racial and ethnic disparities have persisted. Continued expansion of residency positions and targeted diversity initiatives are essential to address workforce shortages and promote equity in urological training.

Keywords: applicant demographics; diversity in medicine; graduate medical education; urology match; urology residency.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve human participants or tissue. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Trends in residency applicants vs. available positions from 2015 to 2024
Figure 2
Figure 2. Match rates by training status from 2015 to 2024
Figure 3
Figure 3. Gender composition of matched urology applicants (2015 to 2024)
Gender composition of matched urology applicants from 2015 to 2024. The proportion of female matched applicants increased significantly over time (β = 2.24% per year, p < 0.001), while the proportion of male matched applicants decreased (β = –2.24% per year, p < 0.001).
Figure 4
Figure 4. Match rates by gender among urology applicants, 2015 to 2024
Female match rates increased significantly over time (p = 0.027), while male match rates showed no significant change (p = 0.66).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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