The region recorded a rate of over 5% in the second quarter of this year.
The midlands has the second highest rate of unemployment in the country.
Figures from the CSO show the region recorded a rate of 5.3% in the second quarter of this year.
The region recorded 160,000 people aged 15 and over currently in employment, up slightly from 159,700 over the same period last year.
The South East had the highest rate at 7%, while the lowest unemployment rate comes in the Mid west at 3.5%.
Statistician with the CSO, Colin Hanley, says they have seen a slight increase in the national unemployment rate:
Commenting on the figures, Enterprise Minister, Longford Westmeath TD Peter Burke, says the labour market remains exceptionally resilient:
"Another successive quarter is showing a new record for the highest number of people employed in our country than ever before.
More than half of the jobs created in the past year were outside of Dublin which is a testament to this Government’s commitment to achieving more balanced regional enterprise development.
It is encouraging to see that female participation rates in the labour market remain at historical highs, with more women availing of opportunities for employment, and more women moving from part-time to full-time positions."
Finance Minister, Jack Chambers, says today's figures indicate the continued strength of the labour market:
"The official level of employment rose to a new record high of 2.75 million in the second quarter, with over 71,000 jobs added in the year to Q2 and more than 20,000 added in the second quarter alone.
As a result, almost three quarters of our working age population are now in employment - a record high.
Continuing the trend seen in recent quarters, the strong annual growth in employment in the second quarter was driven by additions to labour supply; by net inward migration as well as increased labour force participation, with female participation reaching an all-time high."
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