Accumulated other comprehensive income (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive income

A summary of the net changes in after-tax accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders for each of the three years ending December 31, 2023 follows (in millions).

	Unrealized gains (losses) on investments			Foreign currency translation			Long-duration insurance contracts			Defined benefit pension plans			Other			Total
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	536		$	(3,082	)	$	—		$	(1,645	)	$	(52	)	$	(4,243	)
Adoption of ASU 2018-12		—			—			(5,751	)		—			—			(5,751	)
Balance at January 1, 2021		536			(3,082	)		(5,751	)		(1,645	)		(52	)		(9,994	)
Other comprehensive income		(167	)		(1,010	)		1,655			1,298			95			1,871
Balance at December 31, 2021		369			(4,092	)		(4,096	)		(347	)		43			(8,123	)
Other comprehensive income		(556	)		(2,050	)		5,637			(205	)		245			3,071
Balance at December 31, 2022		(187	)		(6,142	)		1,541			(552	)		288			(5,052	)
Other comprehensive income		377			749			(188	)		455			(104	)		1,289
Balance at December 31, 2023	$	190		$	(5,393	)	$	1,353		$	(97	)	$	184		$	(3,763	)