Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Laureate uses the liability method to account for income taxes. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. For interim purposes, we also apply ASC 740-270, "Income Taxes - Interim Reporting." Laureate's income tax provisions for all periods consist of federal, state and foreign income taxes. The tax provisions for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 were based on estimated full-year effective tax rates, after giving effect to significant items related specifically to the interim periods, including the mix of income for the period between higher-taxed and lower-taxed jurisdictions. Laureate has operations in multiple countries at various statutory tax rates or which are tax-exempt entities, and other operations that are loss-making entities for which it is not more likely than not that a tax benefit will be realized on the loss. Laureate records interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of Income tax expense. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, Laureate recognized interest and penalties related to income taxes of $1,040. Laureate had $26,150 of accrued interest and penalties as of March 31, 2019. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, Laureate derecognized $3,740 of previously accrued interest and penalties. Approximately $23,820 of unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, will affect the effective income tax rate. It is reasonably possible that Laureate’s unrecognized tax benefits may decrease within the next 12 months by up to approximately $12,580 as a result of the lapse of statutes of limitations and as a result of the final settlement and resolution of outstanding tax matters in various jurisdictions.

Income Taxes

Laureate uses the liability method to account for income taxes. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. For interim purposes, we also apply ASC 740-270, "Income Taxes - Interim Reporting."

Laureate's income tax provisions for all periods consist of federal, state and foreign income taxes. The tax provisions for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 were based on estimated full-year effective tax rates, after giving effect to significant items related specifically to the interim periods, including the mix of income for the period between higher-taxed and lower-taxed jurisdictions. Laureate has operations in multiple countries at various statutory tax rates or which are tax-exempt entities, and other operations that are loss-making entities for which it is not more likely than not that a tax benefit will be realized on the loss.

Laureate records interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of Income tax expense. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, Laureate recognized interest and penalties related to income taxes of $1,040. Laureate had $26,150 of accrued interest and penalties as of March 31, 2019. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, Laureate derecognized $3,740 of previously accrued interest and penalties. Approximately $23,820 of unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, will affect the effective income tax rate. It is reasonably possible that Laureate’s unrecognized tax benefits may decrease within the next 12 months by up to approximately $12,580 as a result of the lapse of statutes of limitations and as a result of the final settlement and resolution of outstanding tax matters in various jurisdictions.