Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Summary of Earnings (Loss) Per Share Basic and Diluted (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Loss from continuing operations	$ (283,080)	$ (320,598)	$ (150,483)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(11,839)	17	(98)
Loss from continuing operations attributable to Laureate Education, Inc.	(294,919)	(320,581)	(150,581)
Numerator used in basic and diluted (loss) earnings per common share:
Accretion of redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity	(88)	149	(208)
Net loss from continuing operations available to common stockholders for basic and diluted earnings per share	(295,007)	(320,432)	(150,789)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	486,865	(298,104)	1,088,147
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	500	5,354	918
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations for basic and diluted earnings per share	$ 487,365	$ (292,750)	$ 1,089,065
Denominator used in basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	189,692	209,710	221,928
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	189,692	209,710	221,928
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Loss from continuing operations, basic (in dollars per share)	$ (1.56)	$ (1.53)	$ (0.68)
(Loss) income from continuing operations, diluted (in dollars per share)	(1.56)	(1.53)	(0.68)
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations, basic (in dollars per share)	2.57	(1.40)	4.91
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations, diluted (in dollars per share)	2.57	(1.40)	4.91
Basic (loss) earnings per share (in dollars per share)	1.01	(2.93)	4.23
Diluted (loss) earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.01	$ (2.93)	$ 4.23