Gender Gaps in Access to Medical Intern Positions: The Role of Competition

Marina Díez-Rituerto, Javier Gardeazabal, Nagore Iriberri and Pedro Rey-Biel

Journal of Labor Economics, 2026, vol. 44, issue 4, 1089 - 1116

Abstract: Competitive selection processes can cause labor market inefficiencies when selection performance disparities do not reflect later job performance differences. Analyzing data from Spain’s national medical entry exam over four decades, we observe gender differences in exam performance, leading to significant gender gaps in securing positions (ranging from −7% to +9%). These gaps align with the competitiveness of the selection process: higher competitiveness results in women’s underperformance compared with men, while lower competitiveness sees women outperforming men. Aligning candidate numbers with available positions to match system needs could improve efficiency, particularly in professions where competitiveness is not pivotal.

Date: 2026
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