This chapter synthetizes four decades of scientific research that relied on the concept of biological welfare to examine the socio-economic evolution in Portugal. In contrast to other nations, particularly neighbouring Spain, where this methodology is more established, anthropometric studies have been relatively scarce in Portuguese economic historiography. Given the limited literature on Portuguese economic history, this chapter also draws on sources from related fields such as anthropology, medicine, and natural sciences. Data indicates that in the eighteenth century, the average height of male adults in Portugal was comparable to the European norm; however, by the nineteenth century, Portuguese men fell behind their counterparts in more developed economies, reflecting a divergent economic trajectory despite some gradual economic growth in Portugal. In the twentieth century, particularly in the latter half, there was a notable increase in the height of Portuguese men, corresponding with the country’s economic advancements and narrowing the gap with more developed nations. Nonetheless, Portuguese men continue to rank among the shortest in Europe. More recent data suggests ongoing growth, indicating that, unlike in some other European countries, the biological potential of Portuguese men has not yet been fully realized. Generally, anthropometric studies about Portugal underline a persistent urban and social premium, albeit one that has been diminishing over time. The gender biological welfare analysis is notably unbalanced due to a lack of sources on women, but existing data suggest that the trend in female height evolution in Portugal mirror that of men.