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
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Numerator used in basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share for continuing operations:
Loss from continuing operations	$ (45,415)	$ (164,525)
Income attributable to noncontrolling interests	469	24
Loss from continuing operations attributable to Laureate Education, Inc.	(44,946)	(164,501)
Accretion of redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity	0	(20)
Net loss from continuing operations for basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share	(44,946)	(164,521)
Numerator used in basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share for discontinued operations:
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	735	(418)
Loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	(9)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations for basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share	$ 735	$ (427)
Denominator used in basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic weighted average share outstanding (in shares)	177,995	200,224
Basic earnings (loss) per share
Loss from continuing operations, basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.25)	$ (0.82)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, basic (in dollars per share)	0	0
Basic loss per share (in dollars per share)	(0.25)	(0.82)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
(Loss) income from continuing operations, diluted (in dollars per share)	(0.25)	(0.82)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, diluted (in dollars per share)	0	0
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.25)	$ (0.82)