Note 21 - Loss Per Share - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021
Net loss attributable to ZW Data Action Technologies Inc. (numerator for basic and diluted loss per share)	$ (1,714)	$ (3,646)	$ (2,431)	$ (2,961)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding -Basic and diluted (in shares)	35,528,776	32,925,488	35,442,345	30,727,546
Loss per share-Basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.11)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.10)