Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018 shares
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	LAUR
Entity Registrant Name	LAUREATE EDUCATION, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000912766
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Class A Common Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	91,654,217
Class B Common Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	132,386,666