Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Cumulative effect of the adoption of accounting standards	Cumulative effect of the adoption of accounting standards, adjusted balance	Common Shares $1 Par Value	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings	Retained Earnings Cumulative effect of the adoption of accounting standards	Retained Earnings Cumulative effect of the adoption of accounting standards, adjusted balance	Subtotal	Subtotal Cumulative effect of the adoption of accounting standards	Subtotal Cumulative effect of the adoption of accounting standards, adjusted balance	Noncontrolling Interests
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	157,929						157,929			157,929
Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests	(4,709)									0			(4,709)
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes	138,511					138,511				138,511
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	17,504									0			17,504
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(216)									0			(216)
Share-based compensation expense	20,684				20,684					20,684
Change in fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interests	3,875				3,875					3,875
Purchase of common shares for treasury	(494,038)			(24,868)	(469,170)					(494,038)
Dividends	(89,240)						(89,240)			(89,240)
Other	9,129			335	8,793					9,128			1
Ending Balance at May. 31, 2020	9,361,113			267,111	3,191,893	(134,528)	6,002,078			9,326,554			34,559
Beginning Balance at Feb. 29, 2020	9,385,905			277,109	3,329,633	(258,400)	6,000,613			9,348,955			36,950
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to Jefferies Financial Group Inc. common shareholders	44,919						44,919			44,919
Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests	(2,580)									0			(2,580)
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes	123,872					123,872				123,872
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	404									0			404
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(216)									0			(216)
Share-based compensation expense	10,737				10,737					10,737
Change in fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interests	2,311				2,311					2,311
Purchase of common shares for treasury	(166,537)			(10,130)	(156,407)					(166,537)
Dividends	(43,454)						(43,454)			(43,454)
Other	5,752			132	5,619					5,751			1
Ending Balance at May. 31, 2020	9,361,113			267,111	3,191,893	(134,528)	6,002,078			9,326,554			34,559
Beginning Balance at Nov. 30, 2020	9,438,525	$ (19,915)	$ 9,418,610	249,751	2,911,223	(288,917)	6,531,836	$ (19,915)	$ 6,511,921	9,403,893	$ (19,915)	$ 9,383,978	34,632
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to Jefferies Financial Group Inc. common shareholders	935,031						935,031			935,031
Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests	(1,412)									0			(1,412)
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes	(75,081)					(75,081)				(75,081)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	3,434									0			3,434
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(13,266)									0			(13,266)
Share-based compensation expense	64,257				64,257					64,257
Change in fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interests	(10,773)				(10,773)					(10,773)
Purchase of common shares for treasury	(130,097)			(5,103)	(124,994)					(130,097)
Dividends	(106,839)						(106,839)			(106,839)
Other	11,500			2,384	9,774					12,158			(658)
Ending Balance at May. 31, 2021	10,095,364			247,032	2,849,487	(363,998)	7,340,113			10,072,634			22,730
Beginning Balance at Feb. 28, 2021	9,778,358			246,703	2,804,243	(346,544)	7,041,460			9,745,862			32,496
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to Jefferies Financial Group Inc. common shareholders	352,596						352,596			352,596
Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests	(669)									0			(669)
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes	(17,454)					(17,454)				(17,454)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	3,354									0			3,354
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(11,793)									0			(11,793)
Share-based compensation expense	43,579				43,579					43,579
Change in fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interests	(3,715)				(3,715)					(3,715)
Dividends	(53,943)						(53,943)			(53,943)
Other	5,051			329	5,380					5,709			(658)
Ending Balance at May. 31, 2021	$ 10,095,364			$ 247,032	$ 2,849,487	$ (363,998)	$ 7,340,113			$ 10,072,634			$ 22,730