The region saw a drop of nearly 2,000 in the number of people in employment.
The midlands was one of the only regions in the country to see a drop in employment levels in the second quarter of this year.
The Labour Force Survey, published by the CSO, shows 154,000 people were employed in the region, down from 156,000 in the first quarter of 2023.
Nationally, employment rate is at its highest level since records began at 74.2% - over 2.6 million people were registered as having jobs.
The sector that saw the largest growth in employment in the year was in Public Administration and Defence, up 11.2%.
There was a decrease in the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing sector, down 6.3%.
CSO Statistician with the Labour Market Division, Sam Scriven, says the findings of their latest survey are significant:
Calls Grow For 24 Hour Garda Station In Edenderry After Arson Attack
Appeal Date Set For Jozef Puska Over Murder Of Ashling Murphy
Offaly Town Demands Meeting With Garda Commissioner And Justice Minister
Ireland’s First Kidney Pancreas Transplant Recipient Dies Aged 68
Quality Of Life To Drive Offaly’s Appeal For Foreign Investment - Anna Marie Delaney
Hundreds Of Mourners Gather For Tadgh Farrell's Funeral
Dancing With The Stars ‘A Once In A Lifetime Opportunity’ - Rose Of Tralee
Uisce Éireann To Submit €6b Water Project Plan
Pedestrian Killed In Midlands Crash
Gardai Arrest Four Men Over Laois Prison Assault
Maura Higgins Set For Traitors US
Man Taken To Hospital Following Alleged Westmeath Assault
Osteoarthritis Programme Launched At Midlands Hospital
Laois County Fire And Rescue Service Welcomes Two New Fire Appliances
Offaly TD Welcomes New IDA Ireland Investment
Gardai Conduct House Searches In Connection With Offaly Arson Attack
Funeral For Offaly Arson Attack Victim To Be Held Today
Emergency Services At Scene Of Offaly Crash
Tadgh Farrell’s Father Denied Compassionate Bail To Attend Son’s Funeral