Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021 shares
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2021
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Title of 12(b) Security	Ordinary shares, par value €0.07 per share
Trading Symbol	NLSN
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Registrant Name	Nielsen Holdings plc
Entity Central Index Key	0001492633
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Tax Identification Number	98-1225347
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity File Number	001-35042
Entity Address, Address Line One	85 Broad Street
Entity Address, City or Town	New York
Entity Address, State or Province	NY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	10004
City Area Code	646
Local Phone Number	654-5000
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	X0
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	358,497,131
Other Address
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Address, Address Line One	Nielsen House
Entity Address, City or Town	Oxford
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	OX4 2WB
City Area Code	646
Local Phone Number	654-5000
Entity Address, Address Line Two	John Smith Drive
Entity Address, Country	GB