UNITHOLDERS' CAPITAL - Summary of Net Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Weighted average Oaktree Operating Group units outstanding (in thousands):
Weighted average number of Class A units outstanding (in shares)	64,193	62,617	63,611	62,256
Oaktree Operating Group net income:
Oaktree Operating Group net income	$ 295,443	$ 140,834	$ 457,274	$ 224,002
Net income attributable to Oaktree Capital Group, LLC:
Income tax expense of Intermediate Holding Companies	(5,541)	(8,571)	(17,843)	(21,251)
Net income attributable to Oaktree Capital Group, LLC	$ 117,324	$ 49,047	$ 172,239	$ 77,125
OCGH non-controlling interest
Weighted average Oaktree Operating Group units outstanding (in thousands):
Weighted average number of Class A units outstanding (in shares)	91,740	92,440	91,692	92,177
Oaktree Operating Group net income:
Oaktree Operating Group net income	$ 173,638	$ 83,256	$ 270,236	$ 142,082
Class A unitholders
Weighted average Oaktree Operating Group units outstanding (in thousands):
Weighted average number of Class A units outstanding (in shares)	64,193	62,617	63,611	62,256
Oaktree Operating Group net income:
Oaktree Operating Group net income	$ 121,499	$ 56,397	$ 187,927	$ 96,012
Oaktree Operating Group
Weighted average Oaktree Operating Group units outstanding (in thousands):
Weighted average number of Class A units outstanding (in shares)	155,933	155,057	155,303	154,433
Oaktree Operating Group net income:
Oaktree Operating Group net income	$ 295,137	$ 139,653	$ 458,163	$ 238,094
Net income attributable to Oaktree Capital Group, LLC:
OCGH non-controlling interest	620	1,212	1,246	2,420
Oaktree Capital Group, LLC
Net income attributable to Oaktree Capital Group, LLC:
Oaktree Operating Group net income attributable to Class A unitholders	121,499	56,397	187,927	96,012
Non-Operating Group expenses	(255)	(201)	(487)	(465)
Income tax expense of Intermediate Holding Companies	(3,920)	(7,149)	(15,201)	(18,422)
Net income attributable to Oaktree Capital Group, LLC	$ 117,324	$ 49,047	$ 172,239	$ 77,125