The figure in the region is below 50% of 25 - 64 year olds.
The midlands has the lowest percentage of people with a third level qualification in the country.
43% of people between the ages of 25 - 64 in the region have completed third level education.
The CSO shows the highest figure nationally comes in Dublin, at 65%.
Across the country, over 50% of people have graduated from third level, while 13% have some type of post Leaving Cert education.