Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	LAUR
Entity Registrant Name	LAUREATE EDUCATION, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000912766
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Emerging Growth	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float		$ 1,163
Class A Common Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	107,450,326
Class B Common Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	116,864,948