Equity method investments - summarized financial information of equity method investees (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2023	May 31, 2023	Feb. 28, 2023	Nov. 30, 2022	Aug. 31, 2022	May 31, 2022	Feb. 28, 2022	Nov. 30, 2021	Aug. 31, 2023	Aug. 31, 2022	Aug. 31, 2021	Aug. 31, 2020
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Current assets	$ 15,503				$ 16,902				$ 15,503	$ 16,902
Non-current assets	81,125				73,222				81,125	73,222
Current liabilities	24,535				22,583				24,535	22,583
Non-current liabilities	43,605				37,134				43,605	37,134
Shareholders' equity	28,322				29,366				28,322	29,366	$ 23,822	$ 21,136
Non-controlling interests	8,302				4,091				8,302	4,091
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales	35,422	$ 35,415	$ 34,862	$ 33,382	32,449	$ 32,597	$ 33,756	$ 33,901	139,081	132,703	132,509
Gross profit	6,475	$ 6,588	$ 7,055	$ 6,953	6,410	$ 6,572	$ 7,708	$ 7,574	27,072	28,265	28,067
Net earnings (loss)									(3,528)	4,065	2,512
Share of earnings (loss) from equity method investments									286	468	(512)
Equity Method Investment
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Current assets	48,185				50,985				48,185	50,985
Non-current assets	25,618				26,497				25,618	26,497
Current liabilities	52,093				52,083				52,093	52,083
Non-current liabilities	17,999				19,712				17,999	19,712
Shareholders' equity	3,711				5,687				3,711	5,687
Non-controlling interests	$ 520				$ 564				520	564
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales									279,118	268,189	232,719
Gross profit									12,457	13,248	10,889
Net earnings (loss)									$ 1,799	$ 1,988	$ (3,475)