That's according to new Census figures.
Just over half of residents in the midlands were born in the region.
New figures from the Census show just under 140,000 of the region's 'usual residents' were born in their respective counties.
Cork had the highest percentage of people not moving out at 72%, while Meath had the lowest percentage of residents who were born there, at 32%.
Statistician with the Demography section of the CSO, Cathal Doherty, says none of the midlands counties have a larger population when compared to the 1851 Census:
The new report also shows Portlaoise, Athlone and Mullingar are among the largest towns in the country in terms of population.
Portlaoise comes in at 12th, with a population of just under 24,000, the near 23,000 people in Athlone puts the town in 13th, and Mullingar is 14th on the CSO list with a population of 22,000.
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