Note 23 - Loss Per Share - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Net loss attributable to ZW Data Technologies Inc. (numerator for basic and diluted loss per share)	$ (1,333)	$ (388)	$ (4,611)	$ (1,905)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding -Basic and diluted (in shares)	21,720,259	16,517,440	21,271,301	16,447,233
Loss per share-Basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.22)	$ (0.12)