While medical residency programs have seen some recent growth in residency slots, gaps persist between the number of applicants and the number of available positions—deepening the ongoing shortage of physicians in the U.S.
Medicus Healthcare Solutions provides a breakdown of the supply and demand mismatch playing out in residency programs across the nation in its recently published The State of the U.S. Physician Workforce white paper.
Here are five takeaways from the report:
1. Between 2000 and 2025, the total number of applicants to medical residency programs increased from just over 30,000 to more than 50,000. During the same period, the total number of postgraduate residency training slots increased from about 20,000 to 40,000, according to data from the National Resident Match Program.
2. In 2025, the official match rate was 79.9%, meaning 20% of applicants did not match into a program.
3. The American Association of Managed Care predicts a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians if funding for graduate medical education continues to grow at the current pace. Without further investment, the shortfall could reach the AAMC’s projection of 124,000 physicians by 2034.
4. The report highlighted three specialties that are in high demand but have limited training positions. This includes:
- Anesthesiology
- Positions available: 1,805
- Total applicants: 3,017
- Percentage of applicants that did not match: 40.2%
- Surgery (categorical):
- Positions available: 1,778
- Total applicants: 3,305
- Percentage of applicants that did not match: 46.2%
- Gastroenterology
- Positions available: 727
- Total applicants: 1,121
- Percentage of applicants that did not match: 35%
5. Other specialties may face similar or even more severe imbalances, according to the report.
