XML 241 R158.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.20.4

Post-employment benefits for associates (Details 6) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)
--- | ---
Discount rate | 25 basis point change |
Disclosure of sensitivity analysis for actuarial assumptions [line items] |
Increase (decrease) in defined benefit obligation due to reasonably possible increase in actuarial assumption | $ (885)
Increase (decrease) in defined benefit obligation due to reasonably possible decrease in actuarial assumption | 942
Life expectancy | 1 year increase |
Disclosure of sensitivity analysis for actuarial assumptions [line items] |
Increase (decrease) in defined benefit obligation due to reasonably possible increase in actuarial assumption | 993
Rate of pension increase | 25 basis point change |
Disclosure of sensitivity analysis for actuarial assumptions [line items] |
Increase (decrease) in defined benefit obligation due to reasonably possible increase in actuarial assumption | 589
Increase (decrease) in defined benefit obligation due to reasonably possible decrease in actuarial assumption | (143)
Interest on savings account | 25 basis point change |
Disclosure of sensitivity analysis for actuarial assumptions [line items] |
Increase (decrease) in defined benefit obligation due to reasonably possible increase in actuarial assumption | 62
Increase (decrease) in defined benefit obligation due to reasonably possible decrease in actuarial assumption | (30)
Salary increase | 25 basis point change |
Disclosure of sensitivity analysis for actuarial assumptions [line items] |
Increase (decrease) in defined benefit obligation due to reasonably possible increase in actuarial assumption | 61
Increase (decrease) in defined benefit obligation due to reasonably possible decrease in actuarial assumption | $ (61)

X
- Definition Line items represent concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes of the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_DisclosureOfSensitivityAnalysisForActuarialAssumptionsLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The increase (decrease) in a defined benefit obligation that would have been caused by a decrease in a significant actuarial assumption that was reasonably possible at the end of the reporting period. [Refer: Actuarial assumptions [member]] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 19 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 145 -Subparagraph a -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_145_a&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_IncreaseDecreaseInDefinedBenefitObligationDueToReasonablyPossibleDecreaseInActuarialAssumption
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The increase (decrease) in a defined benefit obligation that would have been caused by an increase in a significant actuarial assumption that was reasonably possible at the end of the reporting period. [Refer: Actuarial assumptions [member]] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 19 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 145 -Subparagraph a -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_145_a&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_IncreaseDecreaseInDefinedBenefitObligationDueToReasonablyPossibleIncreaseInActuarialAssumption
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_ActuarialAssumptionsAxis=ifrs-full_ActuarialAssumptionOfDiscountRatesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | nvs_ChangeInActuarialAssumptionAxis=nvs_Change25BasisPointMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_ActuarialAssumptionsAxis=nvs_LifeExpectancyMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | nvs_ChangeInActuarialAssumptionAxis=nvs_Increase1YearMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_ActuarialAssumptionsAxis=ifrs-full_ActuarialAssumptionOfExpectedRatesOfPensionIncreasesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_ActuarialAssumptionsAxis=nvs_ActuarialAssumptionOfExpectedRatesOfInterestOnSavingsAccountMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_ActuarialAssumptionsAxis=ifrs-full_ActuarialAssumptionOfExpectedRatesOfSalaryIncreasesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |