The dataset contains information on the size of the active (working) population in the municipalities of Lisbon and Setubal, divided by several sectors of economic activity. The data are given separately for female and male population, offering a random sample for a number of years. The occupational sectors are included for the cities of Lisbon and Oporto. This dataset is one of the results of the project 'EUROCIT', which collects data on cities and urbanisation from several European countries.