Note 22 - Loss Per Share - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Net loss attributable to ZW Data Action Technologies Inc. (numerator for basic and diluted loss per share)	$ (3,646)	$ (968)	$ (2,961)	$ (3,278)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding -Basic and diluted (in shares)	32,925,488	21,691,926	30,727,546	21,044,666
Loss per share-Basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.11)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.16)