The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund (the "Fund") seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (the "Underlying Index").

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following table describes the fees and expenses that you will incur if you own shares of the Fund. The investment advisory agreement between iShares, Inc. (the "Company") and BlackRock Fund Advisors ("BFA") (the "Investment Advisory Agreement") provides that BFA will pay all operating expenses of the Fund, except interest expenses, taxes, brokerage expenses, future distribution fees or expenses, and extraordinary expenses. "Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses" reflect the Fund's pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by investing in other investment companies. The impact of Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses is included in the total returns of the Fund. Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are not used to calculate the Fund's net asset value per share ("NAV") and are not included in the calculation of the ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the Financial Highlights section of the Fund's prospectus (the "Prospectus"). BFA, the investment adviser to the Fund, has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fees in an amount equal to the Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses attributable to the Fund's investments in other iShares funds through June 30, 2013. The contractual waiver may be terminated prior to June 30, 2013 only upon written agreement of the Company and BFA. During the most recently completed fiscal year, the amount of such expenses incurred and fees waived rounded to 0.00%.

You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Fund, which are not reflected in the example that follows:

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(ongoing expenses that you pay each year as a
percentage of the value of your investments)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

June 30, 2013

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio Turnover.

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 17% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

17.00%

Expense Exchange Traded Fund Commissions [Text]

rr_ExpenseExchangeTradedFundCommissions

You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Fund, which are not reflected in the example that follows:

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example.

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of owning shares of the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then sell all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund's operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

The Underlying Index is designed to measure equity market performance in the global emerging markets. As of September 30, 2011, the Underlying Index consisted of the following 21 emerging market indexes: Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Turkey. As of September 30, 2011, the Underlying Index was comprised of 825 constituents. Component companies include energy, financial, information technology and materials companies.

BFA uses a "passive" or indexing approach to try to achieve the Fund's investment objective. Unlike many investment companies, the Fund does not try to "beat" the index it tracks and does not seek temporary defensive positions when markets decline or appear overvalued.

Indexing may eliminate the chance that the Fund will substantially outperform the Underlying Index but also may reduce some of the risks of active management, such as poor security selection. Indexing seeks to achieve lower costs and better after-tax performance by keeping portfolio turnover low in comparison to actively managed investment companies.

BFA uses a representative sampling indexing strategy to manage the Fund. "Representative sampling" is an indexing strategy that involves investing in a representative sample of securities that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Underlying Index. The securities selected are expected to have, in the aggregate, investment characteristics (based on factors such as market capitalization and industry weightings), fundamental characteristics (such as return variability and yield) and liquidity measures similar to those of the Underlying Index. The Fund may or may not hold all of the securities in the Underlying Index.

The Fund generally invests at least 90% of its assets in the securities of its Underlying Index and in depositary receipts representing securities in its Underlying Index. The Fund may invest the remainder of its assets in other securities, including securities not in the Underlying Index, but which BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index, and in other investments, including futures contracts, options on futures contracts, other types of options and swaps related to its Underlying Index, as well as cash and cash equivalents, including shares of money market funds advised by BFA or its affiliates. BFA will waive portfolio management fees in an amount equal to the portfolio management fees of such other iShares funds for any portion of the Fund's assets invested in shares of such other funds.

The Fund invests all of its assets that are invested in India in a wholly owned subsidiary located in the Republic of Mauritius (the "Subsidiary"). BFA serves as investment adviser to both the Fund and the Subsidiary. Unless otherwise indicated, the term "Fund," as used in this Prospectus, means the Fund and/or the Subsidiary, as applicable.

The Fund may lend securities representing up to one-third of the value of the Fund's total assets (including the value of the collateral received).

The Underlying Index is sponsored by an organization (the "Index Provider") that is independent of the Fund and BFA. The Index Provider determines the composition and relative weightings of the securities in the Underlying Index and publishes information regarding the market value of the Underlying Index. The Fund's Index Provider is MSCI Inc. ("MSCI").

Industry Concentration Policy. The Fund will concentrate its investments (i.e., hold 25% or more of its total assets) in a particular industry or group of industries to approximately the same extent that the Underlying Index is concentrated. For purposes of this limitation, securities of the U.S. government (including its agencies and instrumentalities) and repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities are not considered to be issued by members of any industry.

Strategy Portfolio Concentration [Text]

rr_StrategyPortfolioConcentration

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Summary of Principal Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

As with any investment, you could lose all or part of your investment in the Fund, and the Fund's performance could trail that of other investments. The Fund is subject to the principal risks noted below, any of which may adversely affect the Fund's NAV, trading price, yield, total return and ability to meet its investment objective.

Asset Class Risk. Securities in the Underlying Index or in the Fund's portfolio may underperform in comparison to the general securities markets or other asset classes.

Commodity Exposure Risk. The Fund invests in economies that are susceptible to fluctuations in certain commodity markets. Any negative changes in commodity markets could have an adverse impact on those economies.

Concentration Risk. To the extent that the Fund's investments are concentrated in a particular issuer, region, country, market, industry or asset class, the Fund may be susceptible to loss due to adverse occurrences affecting that issuer, region, country, market, industry or asset class.

Currency Risk. Because the Fund's NAV is determined in U.S. dollars, the Fund's NAV could decline if the currency of a non-U.S. market in which the Fund invests depreciates against the U.S. dollar.

Custody Risk. Less developed markets are more likely to experience problems with the clearing and settling of trades and the holding of securities by local banks, agents and depositories.

Emerging Markets Risk. The Fund's investments in emerging markets may be subject to a greater risk of loss than investments in more developed markets. Emerging markets may be more likely to experience inflation risk, political turmoil and rapid changes in economic conditions than more developed markets. Emerging markets often have less uniformity in accounting and reporting requirements, unreliable securities valuation and greater risk associated with custody of securities.

Energy Sector Risk. The value of securities issued by companies in the energy sector may decline for many reasons, including, without limitation, changes in commodity prices, government regulations, energy conservation efforts and potential civil liabilities.

Equity Securities Risk. Equity securities are subject to changes in value and their values may be more volatile than other asset classes.

Financial Sector Risk. Performance of companies in the financial sector may be adversely impacted by many factors, including, among others, government regulations, economic conditions, credit rating downgrades, changes in interest rates, and decreased liquidity in credit markets. This sector has experienced significant losses in the recent past, and the impact of more stringent capital requirements and of recent or future regulation on any individual financial company or on the sector as a whole cannot be predicted.

Geographic Risk. A natural or other disaster could occur in a geographic region in which the Fund invests, which could affect the economy or particular business operations of companies in the specific geographic region, causing an adverse impact on the Fund's investments in the affected region.

Information Technology Sector Risk. Information technology companies face intense competition and potentially rapid product obsolescence. They are also heavily dependent on intellectual property rights and may be adversely affected by loss or impairment of those rights.

Issuer Risk. Fund performance depends on the performance of individual securities to which the Fund has exposure. Changes to the financial condition or credit rating of an issuer of those securities may cause the value of the securities to decline.

Management Risk. As the Fund may not fully replicate the Underlying Index, it is subject to the risk that BFA's investment management strategy may not produce the intended results.

Market Risk. The Fund could lose money over short periods due to short-term market movements and over longer periods during market downturns.

Market Trading Risk. The Fund faces numerous market trading risks, including the potential lack of an active market for Fund shares, losses from trading in secondary markets, periods of high volatility and disruption in the creation/redemption process of the Fund. ANY OF THESE FACTORS, AMONG OTHERS, MAY LEAD TO THE FUND'S SHARES TRADING AT A PREMIUM OR DISCOUNT TO NAV.

Materials Sector Risk. Companies in the materials sector may be adversely impacted by the volatility of commodity prices, exchange rates, depletion of resources, over-production, litigation and government regulations, among other factors.

Mid-Capitalization Companies Risk. The Fund may invest in the securities of mid-capitalization companies. Compared to large-capitalization companies, mid-capitalization companies may be less stable and more susceptible to adverse developments and their securities may be more volatile and less liquid.

Non-U.S. Securities Risk. Investments in the securities of non-U.S. issuers are subject to the risks associated with investing in those non-U.S. markets, such as heightened risks of inflation or nationalization. The Fund may lose money due to political, economic and geographic events affecting a non-U.S. issuer or market. The Fund is specifically exposed to Asian Economic Risk and Central and South American Economic Risk.

Passive Investment Risk. The Fund is not actively managed and BFA does not attempt to take defensive positions under any market conditions, including declining markets.

Privatization Risk. Some countries in which the Fund invests have begun a process of privatizing certain entities and industries. Privatized entities may lose money or be re-nationalized.

Reliance on Trading Partners Risk. The Fund invests in countries whose economies are heavily dependent upon trading with key partners. Any reduction in this trading may have an adverse impact on the Fund's investments. Through its trading partners, the Fund is specifically exposed to Asian Economic Risk, Central and South American Economic Risk, European Economic Risk and U.S. Economic Risk.

Risk of Investing in India. Investment in Indian issuers involves risks that are specific to India, including legal, regulatory, political and economic risks. The securities markets in India are relatively underdeveloped and may subject the Fund to higher transaction costs or greater uncertainty than investments in more developed securities markets. Such risks may adversely affect the value of the Fund's investments.

Risk of Investing in Russia. Investing in Russian securities involves significant risks, including legal, regulatory and economic risks that are specific to Russia. In addition, investing in Russian securities involves risks associated with the settlement of portfolio transactions and loss of the Fund's ownership rights in its portfolio securities, as a result of the system of share registration and custody in Russia.

Securities Lending Risk. The Fund may engage in securities lending. Securities lending involves the risk that the Fund may lose money because the borrower of the Fund's loaned securities fails to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. The Fund could also lose money in the event of a decline in the value of the collateral provided for loaned securities or a decline in the value of any investments made with cash collateral. These events could also trigger adverse tax consequences for the Fund.

Securities Market Risk. Non-U.S. securities markets may trade a small number of securities and may be unable to respond effectively to increases in trading volume, potentially making prompt liquidation of holdings difficult or impossible at times.

Security Risk. Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns. Incidents involving a country's or region's security may cause uncertainty in these markets and may adversely affect their economies and the Fund's investments.

Structural Risk. The countries in which the Fund invests may be subject to considerable degrees of economic, political and social instability.

Tracking Error Risk. The performance of the Fund may diverge from that of the Underlying Index. Because the Fund employs a representative sampling strategy, the Fund may experience tracking error to a greater extent than a fund that seeks to replicate an index. BFA EXPECTS THAT THE FUND MAY EXPERIENCE HIGHER TRACKING ERROR THAN IS TYPICAL FOR SIMILAR INDEX EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS.

Treaty/Tax Risk. The Fund and the Subsidiary rely on the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement between India and Mauritius ("DTAA") for relief from certain Indian taxes. Treaty renegotiation or legislative changes may result in higher taxes and lower returns for the Fund.

Valuation Risk. The value of the securities in the Fund's portfolio may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or sell the Fund's shares.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

As with any investment, you could lose all or part of your investment in the Fund, and the Fund's performance could trail that of other investments.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Performance Information

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The bar chart and table that follow show how the Fund has performed on a calendar year basis and provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. Both assume that all dividends and distributions have been reinvested in the Fund. Past performance (before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. Supplemental information about the Fund's performance is shown under the heading Total Return Information in the Supplemental Information section of the Prospectus.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The bar chart and table that follow show how the Fund has performed on a calendar year basis and provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737) (toll free)

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

www.iShares.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

Past performance (before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Year by Year Returns¹ (Year Ended December 31)

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

The best calendar quarter return during the periods shown above was 31.57% in the 2nd quarter of 2009; the worst was -26.18% in the 4th quarter of 2008.

Updated performance information is available at www.iShares.com or by calling 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737) (toll free).

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average Annual Total Returns
(for the periods ended December 31, 2010)

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

After-tax returns in the table above are calculated using the historical highest individual U.S. federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state or local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant to tax-exempt investors or investors who hold shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts ("IRAs").

Performance Table Explanation after Tax Higher

rr_PerformanceTableExplanationAfterTaxHigher

Fund returns after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares are calculated assuming that an investor has sufficient capital gains of the same character from other investments to offset any capital losses from the sale of Fund shares. As a result, Fund returns after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may exceed Fund returns before taxes and/or returns after taxes on distributions.

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund | MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Index returns do not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

One Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

18.88%

Five Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

12.78%

Since Fund Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

22.55%

[1]

The Fund's total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was -22.72%.

[2]

After-tax returns in the table above are calculated using the historical highest individual U.S. federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state or local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant to tax-exempt investors or investors who hold shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts ("IRAs"). Fund returns after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares are calculated assuming that an investor has sufficient capital gains of the same character from other investments to offset any capital losses from the sale of Fund shares. As a result, Fund returns after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may exceed Fund returns before taxes and/or returns after taxes on distributions.