Note 20 - Loss Per Share - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2024	Mar. 31, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023	Mar. 31, 2023	Jun. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023
Net loss	$ (232)	$ (850)	$ (1,403)	$ (1,143)	$ (1,082)	$ (2,546)
Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests from continued operations	16		0		16	0
Net loss attributable to ZW Data Action Technologies Inc. (numerator for basic and diluted loss per share)	$ (216)		$ (1,403)		$ (1,066)	$ (2,546)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding -Basic and diluted (in shares)	7,204,506		7,195,605		7,204,506	7,185,114
Loss per share-Basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.03)		$ (0.19)		$ (0.15)	$ (0.35)