Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Summary of Earnings (Loss) Per Share Basic and Diluted (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Numerator used in basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share for continuing operations:
Loss from continuing operations	$ (10,390)	$ (271,040)	$ (290,800)	$ (76,503)
Income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(17)	(7)	9	27
Loss from continuing operations attributable to Laureate Education, Inc.	(10,407)	(271,047)	(290,791)	(76,476)
Accretion of redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity	0	6	(88)	163
Net loss from continuing operations for basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share	(10,407)	(271,041)	(290,879)	(76,313)
Numerator used in basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share for discontinued operations:
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	370,527	(513,390)	456,770	(921,239)
Loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	286	(5)	499	5,065
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations for basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share	$ 370,813	$ (513,395)	$ 457,269	$ (916,174)
Denominator used in basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic weighted average share outstanding (in shares)	185,569	210,033	192,543	209,920
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	185,569	210,033
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:
(Loss) income from continuing operations, basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.06)	$ (1.29)	$ (1.51)	$ (0.36)
Loss from discontinued operations, basic (in dollars per share)	2.00	(2.44)	2.37	(4.36)
Basic loss per share (in dollars per share)	1.94	(3.73)	0.86	(4.72)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
(Loss) income from continuing operations, diluted (in dollars per share)	(0.06)	(1.29)	(1.51)	(0.36)
Loss from discontinued operations, diluted (in dollars per share)	2.00	(2.44)	2.37	(4.36)
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.94	$ (3.73)	$ 0.86	$ (4.72)