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NEW ECONOMY FUND®  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading NEW ECONOMY FUND®
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment objectives
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

The investment objective of the fund is long-term growth of capital.
Objective, Secondary [Text Block] rr_ObjectiveSecondaryTextBlock

Current income is a secondary consideration.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and expenses of the fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. In addition to the fees and expenses described below, you may also be required to pay brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of Class F-2 or F-3 shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $25,000 in American Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional, in the “Sales charge reductions and waivers” sections on page 28 of the prospectus and on page 64 of the fund’s statement of additional information, and in the sales charge waiver appendix to this prospectus.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesCaption Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual fund operating expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund’s investment results. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 28% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 28.00%
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text] rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $25,000 in American Funds.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount] rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount $ 25,000
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.


The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. You may be required to pay brokerage commissions on your purchases and sales of Class F-2 or F-3 shares of the fund, which are not reflected in the example.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearCaption Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionByYearCaption For the share classes listed to the right, you would pay the following if you did not redeem your shares:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal investment strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

The fund seeks to achieve its objectives by investing in securities of companies that can benefit from innovation, exploit new technologies or provide products and services that meet the demands of an evolving global economy.


In pursuing its investment objectives, the fund invests primarily in common stocks that the investment adviser believes have the potential for growth. The fund also invests in common stocks with the potential to pay dividends. However, current income is not expected to be significant, particularly in low yield environments. The fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in issuers based outside the United States, including those based in developing countries.


The investment adviser uses a system of multiple portfolio managers in managing the fund’s assets. Under this approach, the portfolio of the fund is divided into segments managed by individual managers who decide how their respective segments will be invested.


The fund relies on the professional judgment of its investment adviser to make decisions about the fund’s portfolio investments. The basic investment philosophy of the investment adviser is to seek to invest in attractively valued companies that, in its opinion, represent good, long-term investment opportunities. The investment adviser believes that an important way to accomplish this is through fundamental analysis, which may include meeting with company executives and employees, suppliers, customers and competitors. Securities may be sold when the investment adviser believes that they no longer represent relatively attractive investment opportunities.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

This section describes the principal risks associated with the fund’s principal investment strategies. You may lose money by investing in the fund. The likelihood of loss may be greater if you invest for a shorter period of time. Investors in the fund should have a long-term perspective and be able to tolerate potentially sharp declines in value.


Market conditions — The prices of, and the income generated by, the common stocks and other securities held by the fund may decline – sometimes rapidly or unpredictably – due to various factors, including events or conditions affecting the general economy or particular industries; overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic instability; governmental or governmental agency responses to economic conditions; and currency exchange rate, interest rate and commodity price fluctuations.


Issuer risks — The prices of, and the income generated by, securities held by the fund may decline in response to various factors directly related to the issuers of such securities, including reduced demand for an issuer’s goods or services, poor management performance and strategic initiatives such as mergers, acquisitions or dispositions and the market response to any such initiatives.


Investing in growth-oriented stocks — Growth-oriented common stocks and other equity-type securities (such as preferred stocks, convertible preferred stocks and convertible bonds) may involve larger price swings and greater potential for loss than other types of investments. These risks may be even greater in the case of smaller capitalization stocks.


Investing in income-oriented stocks — Income provided by the fund may also be reduced by changes in the dividend policies of, and the capital resources available for dividend payments at, the companies in which the fund invests.


Investing outside the United States — Securities of issuers domiciled outside the United States, or with significant operations or revenues outside the United States, may lose value because of adverse political, social, economic or market developments (including social instability, regional conflicts, terrorism and war) in the countries or regions in which the issuers operate or generate revenue. These securities may also lose value due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar and/or currencies of other countries. Issuers of these securities may be more susceptible to actions of foreign governments, such as the imposition of price controls or punitive taxes, that could adversely impact the value of these securities. Securities markets in certain countries may be more volatile and/or less liquid than those in the United States. Investments outside the United States may also be subject to different accounting practices and different regulatory, legal and reporting standards and practices, and may be more difficult to value, than those in the United States. In addition, the value of investments outside the United States may be reduced by foreign taxes, including foreign withholding taxes on interest and dividends. Further, there may be increased risks of delayed settlement of securities purchased or sold by the fund. The risks of investing outside the United States may be heightened in connection with investments in emerging markets.


Investing in emerging markets — Investing in emerging markets may involve risks in addition to and greater than those generally associated with investing in the securities markets of developed countries. For instance, developing countries may have less developed legal and accounting systems than those in developed countries. The governments of these countries may be less stable and more likely to impose capital controls, nationalize a company or industry, place restrictions on foreign ownership and on withdrawing sale proceeds of securities from the country, and/or impose punitive taxes that could adversely affect the prices of securities. In addition, the economies of these countries may be dependent on relatively few industries that are more susceptible to local and global changes. Securities markets in these countries can also be relatively small and have substantially lower trading volumes. As a result, securities issued in these countries may be more volatile and less liquid, and may be more difficult to value, than securities issued in countries with more developed economies and/or markets. Less certainty with respect to security valuations may lead to additional challenges and risks in calculating the fund’s net asset value. Additionally, there may be increased settlement risks for transactions in local securities.


Investing in small companies — Investing in smaller companies may pose additional risks. For example, it is often more difficult to value or dispose of small company stocks and more difficult to obtain information about smaller companies than about larger companies. Furthermore, smaller companies often have limited product lines, operating histories, markets and/or financial resources, may be dependent on one or a few key persons for management, and can be more susceptible to losses. Moreover, the prices of their stocks may be more volatile than stocks of larger, more established companies.


Exposure to country, region, industry or sector — Subject to the fund’s investment limitations, the fund may have significant exposure to a particular country, region, industry or sector. Such exposure may cause the fund to be more impacted by risks relating to the country, region, industry or sector than a fund without such levels of exposure. For example, if the fund has significant exposure in a particular country, then social, economic, regulatory or other issues that negatively affect that country may have a greater impact on the fund than on a fund that is more geographically diversified.


Management — The investment adviser to the fund actively manages the fund’s investments. Consequently, the fund is subject to the risk that the methods and analyses employed by the investment adviser in this process may not produce the desired results. This could cause the fund to lose value or its investment results to lag relevant benchmarks or other funds with similar objectives.


Your investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency, entity or person. You should consider how this fund fits into your overall investment program.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney You may lose money by investing in the fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution Your investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency, entity or person.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Investment results
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart shows how the fund’s investment results have varied from year to year, and the following table shows how the fund’s average annual total returns for various periods compare with a broad measure of securities market results and other applicable measures of market results. This information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. The Global Service and Information Index and the MSCI® All Country World Index each reflect the market sectors in which the fund invests. The Lipper Growth Funds Index includes the fund and other funds that disclose investment objectives and/or strategies reasonably comparable to those of the fund. The Lipper International Funds Index includes funds that disclose investment objectives and/or strategies reasonably comparable to those of the fund. Past investment results (before and after taxes) are not predictive of future investment results. Updated information on the fund’s investment results can be obtained by visiting americanfunds.com.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The following bar chart shows how the fund’s investment results have varied from year to year, and the following table shows how the fund’s average annual total returns for various periods compare with a broad measure of securities market results and other applicable measures of market results.
Performance Additional Market Index [Text] rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex The Global Service and Information Index and the MSCI® All Country World Index each reflect the market sectors in which the fund invests. The Lipper Growth Funds Index includes the fund and other funds that disclose investment objectives and/or strategies reasonably comparable to those of the fund. The Lipper International Funds Index includes funds that disclose investment objectives and/or strategies reasonably comparable to those of the fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress americanfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture Past investment results (before and after taxes) are not predictive of future investment results.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar year total returns for Class A shares (Results do not include a sales charge; if a sales charge were included, results would be lower.)
Bar Chart Narrative [Text Block] rr_BarChartNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart shows how the fund’s investment results have varied from year to year, and the following table shows how the fund’s average annual total returns for various periods compare with a broad measure of securities market results and other applicable measures of market results.
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads (Results do not include a sales charge; if a sales charge were included, results would be lower.)
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Highest/Lowest quarterly results during this period were:


Highest 23.17% (quarter ended June 30, 2009)


Lowest -21.75% (quarter ended December 31, 2008)
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Highest
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 23.17%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Lowest
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (21.75%)
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate After-tax returns are calculated using the highest individual federal income tax rates in effect during each year of the periods shown and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred Your actual after-tax returns depend on your individual tax situation and likely will differ from the results shown above. In addition, after-tax returns are not relevant if you hold your fund shares through a tax-favored arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan, individual retirement account (IRA) or 529 college savings plan.
Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text] rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown After-tax returns are shown only for Class A shares; after-tax returns for other share classes will vary.
Performance Table Closing [Text Block] rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock

After-tax returns are shown only for Class A shares; after-tax returns for other share classes will vary. After-tax returns are calculated using the highest individual federal income tax rates in effect during each year of the periods shown and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns depend on your individual tax situation and likely will differ from the results shown above. In addition, after-tax returns are not relevant if you hold your fund shares through a tax-favored arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan, individual retirement account (IRA) or 529 college savings plan.
Caption rr_AverageAnnualReturnCaption Average annual total returns For the periods ended December 31, 2017 (with maximum sales charge):
NEW ECONOMY FUND® | S&P 500 Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes)  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel S&P 500 Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 21.83%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 15.79%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 8.50%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 11.15%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 01, 1983
NEW ECONOMY FUND® | Global Service and Information Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes)  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Global Service and Information Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 25.31%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 14.51%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.01%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 01, 1983
NEW ECONOMY FUND® | Lipper Growth Funds Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees or U.S. federal income taxes)  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Lipper Growth Funds Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees or U.S. federal income taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 27.51%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 15.93%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 8.02%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.57%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 01, 1983
NEW ECONOMY FUND® | Lipper International Funds Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees or U.S. federal income taxes)  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Lipper International Funds Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees or U.S. federal income taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 26.70%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 8.10%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 2.50%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 01, 1983
NEW ECONOMY FUND® | MSCI All Country World Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes)  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel MSCI All Country World Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 23.97%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 10.80%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.65%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 01, 1983
NEW ECONOMY FUND® | Class A  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 5.75%
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice 1.00% [1]
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.38%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.24%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.16%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.78%
Expenses Deferred Charges [Text Block] rr_ExpensesDeferredChargesTextBlock A contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% applies on certain redemptions made within 18 months following purchases of $1 million or more made without an initial sales charge. Contingent deferred sales charge is calculated based on the lesser of the offering price and market value of shares being sold.
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 650
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 810
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 983
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,486
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (41.86%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 45.16%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 13.40%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (5.65%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 24.02%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 43.36%
Annual Return 2014 rr_AnnualReturn2014 4.59%
Annual Return 2015 rr_AnnualReturn2015 3.80%
Annual Return 2016 rr_AnnualReturn2016 2.20%
Annual Return 2017 rr_AnnualReturn2017 34.37%
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel A Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 26.66%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 15.04%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 8.47%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 11.29%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 01, 1983
NEW ECONOMY FUND® | Class A | After Taxes on Distributions  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel A After taxes on distributions
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 24.36%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 13.40%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.59%
NEW ECONOMY FUND® | Class A | After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel A After taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 16.99%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 11.84%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.77%
NEW ECONOMY FUND® | Class 529-A  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 5.75%
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice 1.00% [1]
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.38%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.22% [2]
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.26%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.86%
Expenses Deferred Charges [Text Block] rr_ExpensesDeferredChargesTextBlock A contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% applies on certain redemptions made within 18 months following purchases of $1 million or more made without an initial sales charge. Contingent deferred sales charge is calculated based on the lesser of the offering price and market value of shares being sold.
Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text] rr_ExpensesRestatedToReflectCurrent Restated to reflect current fees.
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 658
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 834
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,024
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,575
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel 529-A Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 26.58%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 14.95%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 8.41%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.04%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Feb. 15, 2002
NEW ECONOMY FUND® | Class C  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice 1.00%
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.38%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.21%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.59%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 262
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 502
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 866
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,889
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 162
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 502
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 866
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,889
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel C Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 32.30%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 15.47%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 8.26%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.44%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 15, 2001
NEW ECONOMY FUND® | Class 529-C  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice 1.00%
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.38%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.99%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.26%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.63%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 266
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 514
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 887
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,933
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 166
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 514
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 887
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,933
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel 529-C Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 32.22%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 15.39%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 8.18%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.12%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Feb. 21, 2002
NEW ECONOMY FUND® | Class 529-E  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.38%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.50%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.21%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.09%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 111
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 347
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 601
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,329
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel 529-E Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.98%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 16.03%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 8.76%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 8.74%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 15, 2002
NEW ECONOMY FUND® | Class 529-T  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 2.50%
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.38%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.27% [3]
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.90%
Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text] rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates Based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 340
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 530
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 736
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,330
NEW ECONOMY FUND® | Class T  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 2.50%
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.38%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.21% [3]
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.84%
Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text] rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates Based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 334
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 511
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 704
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,261
NEW ECONOMY FUND® | Class F-1  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.38%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.21%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.84%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 86
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 268
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 466
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,037
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel F-1 Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 34.28%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 16.35%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 9.09%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.95%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 15, 2001
NEW ECONOMY FUND® | Class 529-F-1  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.38%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.26%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.64%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 65
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 205
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 357
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 798
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel 529-F-1 Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 34.56%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 16.55%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 9.27%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 12.46%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Oct. 11, 2002
NEW ECONOMY FUND® | Class F-2  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.38%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.18%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.56%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 57
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 179
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 313
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 701
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel F-2 Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 34.67%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 16.67%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 12.16%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Aug. 01, 2008
NEW ECONOMY FUND® | Class F-3  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.38%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.08% [3]
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.46%
Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text] rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates Based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 47
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 148
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 258
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 579
NEW ECONOMY FUND® | Class R-1  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.38%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.18%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.56%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 159
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 493
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 850
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,856
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel R-1 Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.32%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 15.51%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 8.29%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.61%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jun. 21, 2002
NEW ECONOMY FUND® | Class R-2  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.38%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.74%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.43%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.55%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 158
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 490
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 845
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,845
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel R-2 Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.31%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 15.51%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 8.26%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 8.88%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 31, 2002
NEW ECONOMY FUND® | Class R-3  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.38%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.50%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.23%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.11%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 113
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 353
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 612
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,352
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel R-3 Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.91%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 16.03%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 8.77%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 10.18%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jun. 25, 2002
NEW ECONOMY FUND® | Class R-4  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.38%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.18%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.81%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 83
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 259
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 450
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,002
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel R-4 Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 34.31%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 16.39%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 9.12%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 11.85%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 25, 2002
NEW ECONOMY FUND® | Class R-5  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.38%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.13%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.51%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 52
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 164
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 285
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 640
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel R-5 Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 34.74%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 16.74%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 9.45%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.81%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 15, 2002
NEW ECONOMY FUND® | Class R-6  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.38%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.08%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.46%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 47
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 148
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 258
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 579
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel R-6 Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 34.80%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 16.79%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 16.77%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
NEW ECONOMY FUND® | Class R-2E  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.38%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.60%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.28%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.26%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 128
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 400
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 692
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,523
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel R-2E Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 33.73%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 10.71%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Aug. 29, 2014
NEW ECONOMY FUND® | Class R-5E  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.38%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.23%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.61%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 62
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 195
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 340
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 762
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel R-5E Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 34.70%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.46%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 20, 2015
[1] A contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% applies on certain redemptions made within 18 months following purchases of $1 million or more made without an initial sales charge. Contingent deferred sales charge is calculated based on the lesser of the offering price and market value of shares being sold.
[2] Restated to reflect current fees.
[3] Based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.