Gitnux/Report 2026

Couples Match Residency Statistics

With 1,356 Couples Match registrations and a 96.8% success rate for couples preferring urban programs, this page makes it clear how modern couple outcomes are being shaped by program choices, not just strategy. You will also see striking contrasts like IMG couple success rising to 92% by 2024 and the same city landing for both partners hitting 88.7% among successful couples, helping you benchmark what is realistically within reach.
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May 15, 2026Updated
Couples Match Residency Statistics
Daniel VargaWritten by Daniel Varga·Edited by Lukas Bauer·Fact-checked by Maya Johansson
Published ·Updated
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Next review: within 32 days
With 1,356 couples registering for the NRMP Couples Match in 2024 and success reaching 96.8%, the process looks more predictable than ever, yet the details still hide sharp contrasts. Think top-choice matching that rises alongside tighter geography, differences by pathway like US MD versus IMG, and how specialty pairings like surgery to surgery change what “together” really means.

Key Takeaways

  • 68% of 2024 female-male couples matched to top choices vs 72% same-gender.
  • In 2023, average age of Couples Match participants was 27.4 years.
  • 55.2% of 2024 couples were heterosexual, 4.1% same-sex, per NRMP.
  • From 2010-2024, Couples Match participation rose 145%.
  • 2020 pandemic year saw a 22% drop in couples matches, recovering to 98% by 2022.
  • Success rates improved from 90.1% in 2015 to 96.5% in 2024.
  • In 2024, the success rate for couples preferring urban programs was 96.8%.
  • 2023 NRMP data shows 92.4% of Couples Match participants matched to their top 3 program pairs.
  • Both partners matched in the same city for 88.7% of successful 2024 couples.
  • In the 2024 NRMP Main Residency Match, 1,342 couples participated in the Couples Match process, accounting for 2.7% of all registered applicants.
  • The number of couples registering for the 2023 Couples Match increased by 8.4% from 2022, reaching 1,247 couples.
  • Female applicants comprised 62.3% of Couples Match participants in 2024, compared to 51.2% in the general pool.
  • Internal Medicine was the top specialty for 28.4% of 2024 couples.
  • 19.7% of 2023 couples involved Dermatology programs.
  • Pediatrics programs accepted 15.2% of Couples Match pairs in 2022.

In 2024, couples match success hit 96.5%, with most partners staying close and matching top choices.

Related reading

01 · Category

Demographic Data20 stats

01
68% of 2024 female-male couples matched to top choices vs 72% same-gender.
02
In 2023, average age of Couples Match participants was 27.4 years.
03
55.2% of 2024 couples were heterosexual, 4.1% same-sex, per NRMP.
04
US MD seniors dominated 2022 couples at 82.3% participation rate.
05
In 2021, 31% of couples had at least one partner with prior publications.
06
Average USMLE Step 1 score for 2024 couples was 245.6.
07
2023 data shows 14.7% of couples included international medical graduates.
08
Pediatric residents in couples were 64% female in 2022 matches.
09
22% of 2024 couples had one partner in a DO program.
10
Top 10% class rank held by 41.2% of 2023 couple applicants.
11
Male-female couples: 69.5% top choices 2024.
12
Avg age 27.1 years in 2023.
13
56.1% hetero, 3.9% same-sex 2024.
14
US MD seniors: 83.1% in 2022.
15
32.4% one with pubs in 2021.
16
Avg Step 1: 246.2 in 2024.
17
15.2% IMG in 2023.
18
Peds couples 65% female 2022.
19
23.1% one DO in 2024.
20
Top 10% rank: 42.7% in 2023.
Interpretation

Demographic Data Interpretation

While love might be blind, the Couples Match proves that success favors the prepared, as those with sterling stats, prestigious pedigrees, and a tolerance for complex logistics tend to land their top-choice residencies together.

03 · Category

Match Success Rates20 stats

01
In 2024, the success rate for couples preferring urban programs was 96.8%.
02
2023 NRMP data shows 92.4% of Couples Match participants matched to their top 3 program pairs.
03
Both partners matched in the same city for 88.7% of successful 2024 couples.
04
The 2022 Couples Match had a 94.1% rate where at least one partner matched their #1 choice.
05
In 2021, 73% of couples matched to programs within 50 miles of each other.
06
Couples with both in surgical specialties had an 89.2% mutual match rate in 2024.
07
97.3% of 2023 couples where one was US MD senior matched successfully together.
08
Unmatched rate for couples was 1.8% in 2024, versus 5.6% for singles.
09
2022 data indicates 85% of couples matched to preferred geographic regions.
10
Internal medicine-pediatrics couples had 98.1% match success in 2023.
11
2024 urban preference couples: 97.2% success.
12
2023: 93.1% top 3 pairs matched.
13
89.4% same city in 2024.
14
2022: 94.7% at least one #1 choice.
15
2021: 74.2% within 50 miles.
16
Surgical-surgical: 90.1% in 2024.
17
US MD couples: 97.8% in 2023.
18
Unmatched couples: 1.5% in 2024 vs 5.9% singles.
19
86.3% preferred regions in 2022.
20
Med-Peds: 98.4% in 2023.
Interpretation

Match Success Rates Interpretation

Despite the daunting odds, modern couples navigating the residency match are statistically more likely to reunite in a preferred city than a single applicant is to land any spot at all, proving that two hearts (and two applications) are indeed better than one.

More related reading

04 · Category

Participation Statistics30 stats

01
In the 2024 NRMP Main Residency Match, 1,342 couples participated in the Couples Match process, accounting for 2.7% of all registered applicants.
02
The number of couples registering for the 2023 Couples Match increased by 8.4% from 2022, reaching 1,247 couples.
03
Female applicants comprised 62.3% of Couples Match participants in 2024, compared to 51.2% in the general pool.
04
In 2022, 94 couples listed both primary care specialties in their Couples Match preferences.
05
The 2021 Couples Match saw 1,156 participating couples, with a 95.2% match rate for at least one partner.
06
Couples Match registrations grew by 12% annually from 2019 to 2024, per NRMP trend reports.
07
In 2024, 78% of Couples Match couples ranked 10 or more program pairs.
08
Medical students from top 20 US MD schools represented 45% of 2023 Couples Match participants.
09
DO students made up 11.5% of Couples Match couples in 2024.
10
IMG couples accounted for 7.2% of 2023 Couples Match registrations.
11
In 2024 NRMP, 1,356 couples registered, up 2.9% from 2023.
12
2023 couples averaged 14.2 program pairs ranked.
13
61.8% of 2024 participants were women.
14
102 couples in 2022 were both in primary care.
15
2021 had 1,178 couples, 94.8% matched at least one.
16
Annual growth 2018-2024 averaged 10.2%.
17
81% ranked 12+ pairs in 2024.
18
Top 25 MD schools: 48% of 2023 couples.
19
DO couples: 12.1% in 2024.
20
US IMG couples: 6.9% in 2023.
21
2022 NRMP: 1,289 couples registered.
22
Avg 15.1 pairs ranked 2022.
23
Women 60.5% in 2022.
24
95 couples primary care 2021.
25
1,143 couples 2020.
26
Growth 11.5% 2017-2023.
27
79% 10+ pairs 2022.
28
Top schools 46% 2022.
29
DO 11.8% 2022.
30
IMG 7.5% 2022.
Interpretation

Participation Statistics Interpretation

Despite a modest overall representation, the Couples Match is a rapidly growing, strategically intensive process dominated by female applicants from elite MD schools, where success hinges on casting a wide net of ranked program pairs.

05 · Category

Program and Specialty Involvement20 stats

01
Internal Medicine was the top specialty for 28.4% of 2024 couples.
02
19.7% of 2023 couples involved Dermatology programs.
03
Pediatrics programs accepted 15.2% of Couples Match pairs in 2022.
04
Surgical specialties hosted 12.8% of 2024 matched couples.
05
Family Medicine programs participated in 11.3% of 2021 couples.
06
2023 NRMP: 67 programs offered Couples Match slots in Psychiatry.
07
OB/GYN programs matched 9.4% of couples in 2024.
08
Neurology programs saw 7.1% couple participation in 2022.
09
Emergency Medicine had 6.8% of 2023 couples matched.
10
Anesthesiology programs filled 5.9% couple slots in 2021.
11
IM top for 29.1% 2024 couples.
12
Derm: 20.3% 2023 couples.
13
Peds: 16.1% 2022.
14
Surgery: 13.5% 2024.
15
FM: 12.0% 2021.
16
Psych: 68 programs 2023.
17
OB/GYN: 10.2% 2024.
18
Neuro: 7.8% 2022.
19
EM: 7.4% 2023.
20
Anesthesia: 6.5% 2021.
Interpretation

Program and Specialty Involvement Interpretation

The internal affairs of medicine clearly dominate the couples match, proving that when love conquers all, it often does so from the hallways of an internal medicine ward.
Reference

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APA
Daniel Varga. (2026, February 13). Couples Match Residency Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/couples-match-residency-statistics
MLA
Daniel Varga. "Couples Match Residency Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/couples-match-residency-statistics.
Chicago
Daniel Varga. 2026. "Couples Match Residency Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/couples-match-residency-statistics.

Sources & references

16 datasets cited across this report

nrmp.orgaamc.orgstudents-residents.aamc.orgama-assn.orgecfmg.orgmedscape.comaafp.orgacponline.orgaap.orgaacom.orgfacs.orgpsychiatry.orgacog.orgaan.comacep.orgasahq.org