Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 123,783	$ 164,790	$ 346,537
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Pension and other post-retirement actuarial items	(9,055)	(9,729)	10,750
Foreign currency translation adjustment	49,260	(10,126)	(41,454)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	40,205	(19,855)	(30,704)
Comprehensive income	163,988	144,935	315,833
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	860	854	779
Comprehensive income attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 163,128	$ 144,081	$ 315,054