Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Apr. 30, 2019
Cover [Abstract]
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MO
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Amendment flag	false
Entity registrant name	REINSURANCE GROUP OF AMERICA, INCORPORATED
Entity central index key	0000898174
Entity current reporting status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Current fiscal year end date	--12-31
Entity filer category	Large Accelerated Filer
Common Shares Outstanding		61,648,135
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Tax Identification Number	43-1627032
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-11848