Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Shares $1 Par Value	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings	Subtotal	Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning Balance at Nov. 30, 2018	$ 10,079,257	$ 307,515	$ 3,854,847	$ 288,286	$ 5,610,218	$ 10,060,866	$ 18,391
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to Jefferies Financial Group Inc. common shareholders	764,052				764,052	764,052
Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests	759					0	759
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes	(554,738)			(554,738)		(554,738)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	6,771					0	6,771
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(2,481)					0	(2,481)
Issuance of shares for HomeFed acquisition	181,780	9,295	168,585			177,880	3,900
Share-based compensation expense	37,036		37,036			37,036
Change in fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interests	(1,437)		(1,437)			(1,437)
Purchase of common shares for treasury	(355,280)	(17,891)	(337,389)			(355,280)
Dividends	(118,956)				(118,956)	(118,956)
Other	11,018	949	10,070			11,019	(1)
Ending Balance at Aug. 31, 2019	10,047,781	299,868	3,731,712	(266,452)	6,255,314	10,020,442	27,339
Beginning Balance at May. 31, 2019	9,877,361	290,687	3,559,156	(242,824)	6,246,852	9,853,871	23,490
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to Jefferies Financial Group Inc. common shareholders	48,477				48,477	48,477
Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests	(116)					0	(116)
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes	(23,628)			(23,628)		(23,628)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	66					0	66
Issuance of shares for HomeFed acquisition	181,780	9,295	168,585			177,880	3,900
Share-based compensation expense	12,150		12,150			12,150
Change in fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interests	(2,558)		(2,558)			(2,558)
Purchase of common shares for treasury	(8,141)	(401)	(7,740)			(8,141)
Dividends	(40,015)				(40,015)	(40,015)
Other	2,405	287	2,119			2,406	(1)
Ending Balance at Aug. 31, 2019	10,047,781	299,868	3,731,712	(266,452)	6,255,314	10,020,442	27,339
Beginning Balance at Nov. 30, 2019	9,601,684	291,644	3,627,711	(273,039)	5,933,389	9,579,705	21,979
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to Jefferies Financial Group Inc. common shareholders	462,338				462,338	462,338
Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests	(5,033)					0	(5,033)
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes	76,632			76,632		76,632
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	18,558					0	18,558
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(1,719)					0	(1,719)
Share-based compensation expense	29,554		29,554			29,554
Change in fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interests	3,875		3,875			3,875
Purchase of common shares for treasury	(622,255)	(32,756)	(589,499)			(622,255)
Dividends	(131,038)				(131,038)	(131,038)
Other	11,855	358	11,496			11,854	1
Ending Balance at Aug. 31, 2020	9,444,451	259,246	3,083,137	(196,407)	6,264,689	9,410,665	33,786
Beginning Balance at May. 31, 2020	9,361,113	267,111	3,191,893	(134,528)	6,002,078	9,326,554	34,559
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to Jefferies Financial Group Inc. common shareholders	304,409				304,409	304,409
Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests	(324)					0	(324)
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes	(61,879)			(61,879)		(61,879)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	1,054					0	1,054
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(1,503)					0	(1,503)
Share-based compensation expense	8,870		8,870			8,870
Purchase of common shares for treasury	(128,217)	(7,888)	(120,329)			(128,217)
Dividends	(41,798)				(41,798)	(41,798)
Other	2,726	23	2,703			2,726	0
Ending Balance at Aug. 31, 2020	$ 9,444,451	$ 259,246	$ 3,083,137	$ (196,407)	$ 6,264,689	$ 9,410,665	$ 33,786